Australia, Sri Lanka strengthen ties to combat people smuggling and human trafficking
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COLOMBO – The Australian Federal Police (AFP) on Tuesday (May 30) gifted the Sri Lankan Police a Toyota Hi Ace to be utilized for work supporting the Human Trafficking, Smuggling and Maritime Division of the Criminal Investigations Division. The gift was part of AFP’s continued support to enhance the capability of the Sri Lanka Police to fight transnational organized crime in Sri Lanka.
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The vehicle will be used in a wide range of activities relating to transnational crime investigations and to counter maritime people smuggling.
AFP Senior Officer, Robert Wilson, noting that Australia highly values the cooperation of its international law enforcement partners, in particular the Sri Lanka Police, in combating transnational crime, thanked the Sri Lanka Police for their continued efforts to deter and disrupt illegal maritime people smuggling activities in Sri Lanka,.
“Working together, Australia and Sri Lanka send a strong message that people smugglers and potential illegal immigrants considering illegal travel to Australia by boat have zero chance of success,” he said, adding, that the vehicle will provide a strong capability boost to help identify people smuggling ventures throughout Sri Lanka.
The threat of maritime people smuggling is ever present as people smugglers find different ways to exploit vulnerable people. The partnership highlights the strength of Australia’s relationship with Sri Lanka, who has been a valuable partner in preventing and responding to human trafficking and maritime people smuggling.
-ENCL/Australian HC
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