Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neill assures her willingness to provide assistance to increase government revenue and also help in the success of the sustainable Energy Generation Programme through the experience in customs administration.
She gave this assurance when she met President GotabayaRajapaksa in Colombo on Monday 20.
She also said that her government is ready to assist in the regulation of fishermen, the promotion of vocational and technical education and to make Sri Lanka a hub for higher education for international students, the statement added.
Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs Clare O’Neill has said that the Australian government will assist Sri Lanka in overcoming the present economic crisis in compliance with the framework of the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe held discussions with Australia’s Minister of Home Affairs, Clare O’Neil, on Monday (20) at the Prime Minister’s office.
The Minister expressed Australia’s continued support for Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Government’s efforts to stabilize the economy.
The Prime Minister explained that Sri Lanka was focused on developing an export oriented economy which would be opened up to investments from overseas.
Minister O’Neil said that the Australian Government was interested in promoting Australian investments in Sri Lanka, while also continuing to drive up Australian tourism to Sri Lanka.
While explaining that her Government was preparing to develop its shipping lines, the Minister explained her administration’s policy regarding maritime security and human smuggling.
The Prime Minister stated that the Sri Lankan Government and its security forces remained committed to ensuring a halt to human smuggling.
The Home Affairs Minister also extended an offer to assist Sri Lanka with restructuring and further developing the Department of Customs.
The Prime Minister extended his thanks to the Australian Government for providing a $50 million development-assistance package to Sri Lanka.
Mrs. Claire O’Neill, who is on an official visit to Sri Lanka, made these remarks when she called on President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at the President’s House in Colombo, today (20), according to President’s Media Division.
The “Zero Chance” campaign for illegal migration and human trafficking was the policy of the previous Conservative Government of Australia. She stated the same was the policy of the new government too, which represents the Labour Party.
President Rajapaksa explaining the steps that he had taken when he was the Defence Secretary to prevent illegal migration said that the Navy is taking such actions as are necessary to prevent illegal migration, the PMD reported.
President Rajapaksa appreciated the support of the Australian Government in providing naval, technical and material assistance and noted that the two countries were working closely together.
Australia is on high alert for security in the Indian Ocean. President Rajapaksa stated that the Sri Lankan government would extend its fullest support to maintain the Indian Ocean as a Security Zone.
It was also revealed that around 50 Navy personnel are currently in Australia for special training. The President commended such training opportunities and their cooperation with the Sri Lankan security forces.
