http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Sri_Lanka_Australia_Joint_Working_Group_conference_held_20121217_07

Sri Lanka - Australia Joint Working Group conference held

The inaugural meeting of the Sri Lanka-Australia Joint Working Group (JWG) on People Smuggling and Transnational Crime got under way today (17th December 2012) at the Ministry of Defence and Urban Development.

The discussion was streamlined at further boosting maritime security in the region in order to find ways and means of containing illegal migration attempts to Australia from the Island. Illegal migration attempts from Sri Lanka to Australia have seen a surge in recent times. Already there is a combined effort by both nations in combating illegal migration.

During the discussions a wide range of subjects including identifying the underlying causes related to illegal migration, finding preventive measures, strengthening corporation between the two countries, beefing up border protection, preparing of proper legal procedures pertaining to deportation and repatriation, training and skills development, law enforcement cooperation, creating public awareness and other relevant topics were taken up for discussion.

The opening remarks were done by Hon Minister of External Affairs Prof. GL Peiris.

Hon Minister of External Affairs Prof. GL Peiris and Secretary Defence and Urban Development Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa were present at the meeting. Australian Foreign Minister Senator Bob Carr who is in the Island for high level talks was also present at the conference.

On the sidelines of the conference the Australian Foreign Minister Senator Carr and Secretary Defence and Urban Development sat down for a separate special meeting.

Sri Lanka's ambassador to Australia Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, IGP NK Illangakoon, Acting Secretary, Ministry of Immigration and Citizenship of Australia Martin Bowles (Australian delegation head) and a number of senior officials took part in the discussions.