Colombo, 22 December 2021 (TDI): On 20 December, the Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka, Gamini Lakshman Peiris, met the Australian Minister for Home Affairs, Karen Andrews. Andrews is currently on an official trip to Sri Lanka, hence the exchange took place at the Foreign Ministry.

During this meeting, both parties discussed the potential for increased multi-faceted bilateral cooperation.

CONTENTS OF THE CONVERSATION

The Sri Lankan Minister praised the Government of Australia for its effective handling of transnational crimes in Sri Lanka, including people smuggling. Peiris further commented on the strong relationship between both nations. He noted that the successful collaboration in border security issues as well as preventing people smuggling was a good example of these ties.

Furthermore, the Foreign Minister also notified the Home Minister of the continued review of policies and laws in Sri Lanka. This constitutes the Prevention of Terrorism Act (PTA). The objective of this revision is to combat the remaining issues which continue to exist as a result of internal armed conflicts in 2009.

Some steps which have been taken by the Sri Lankan Government include establishing the Office of Missing Persons, Office for Reparations, and the Office of National Unity and Reconciliation (ONUR) among others.

OTHER ENGAGEMENTS OF AUSTRALIAN MINISTER

The Sri Lanka Border Risk Assessment Centre (BRAC) at the Department of Immigration was recently set up during the Australian Minister’s visit. The ceremony took place with both Karen Andrews and her Sri Lankan counterpart, Minister Chamal Rajapaksa, in attendance. Rajapaksa is the Minister of the Department of Immigration and Emigration.

Additionally, both ministers also signed a Memorandum of Understanding of Return and Readmission of Persons between Sri Lanka and Australia. This occurred at the State Ministry of Home Affairs, prior to the ceremony.

FUTURE COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS

During Andrews’ interaction with Peiris, the Foreign Minister remarked on Australia’s expertise in vocational training. He requested the technical assistance of Australia in enhancing Sri Lanka’s vocational education sector.

Home Minister
Australian officials (left) and Sri Lankan officials (right) during an exchange between Karen Andrews and G. L. Peiris

Moreover, Peiris also expressed fascination in establishing a Transshipment Hub in Sri Lanka. This would transfer Australian Products to other international markets, where they are in demand. Consequently, it would prove extremely beneficial for Sri Lanka’s economy.

Both parties reached the consensus that another session of the Joint Working Group on People Smuggling and other Transnational Crimes should be hosted. Ideally, they agreed, it should be in the coming months. Thus, in relation to this, they both promised to cooperate in order to further improve the friendly ties between both countries.

Lastly, both ministers expressed a need to plan a satisfactory celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Sri Lanka and Australia, in 2022.