- Launches hotline to report illegal maritime activity
- Aims to foster better joint maritime security cooperation between stakeholders
Sri Lanka and Australia, yesterday (22) kicked off Operation Disi-Rela, the latest bilateral maritime security initiative, which will build a partnership that is nearly a decade long.
Op. Disi-Rela, is an inaugural joint activity between the Australian Border Force (ABF), the Department of Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) and other stakeholders, which is expected to last one week and span activity locations from Dikkowita to Chilaw. It was also revealed that the Australian Government has also provided the Sri Lanka Coast Guard several drones to improve the agency's coastal and harbour situational awareness.
As part of the initiative, and under the theme that it is everyone’s responsibility to keep a watchful eye over our maritime region, a dedicated community information hotline has been established, which will allow anyone to report suspicious or illegal maritime activity 24/7, anonymously. The hotline is – 041 750 1400.
According to Director General Operations Sri Lanka Navy Rear Admiral Nishantha Peiris, the joint operation is aimed at building capacity, fostering closer corporations, and to enhance maritime security capabilities between the partnering agencies. He added that the week-long exercise underscores the commitment of both countries to regional security, regional stability and maritime safety. Commenting on the issue of human trafficking, R. Adm. Peiris said that since last year, no attempts to illegally migrate to Australia has been reported. He credited the long standing and robust relationship between Sri Lanka and Australia for the successes of the counter trafficking efforts.
Addressing the gathering, Deputy Commander Joint Agency Task Force–Australian Border Force, Commander Mark Whitechurch stated that the combat of complex threats such as human trafficking, required complex and integrated solutions. He pointed out that community involvement, especially tip-offs via the new community hotline will be very helpful to identify criminal elements who prey on vulnerable groups and exploit them.
Responding to a question from The Daily Morning, Commander Whitechurch said that the Australian authorities were keen to expand their collaborative efforts and work closely with Sri Lankan partners to curb maritime crime in the Indian Ocean.
“Maritime human smuggling is particularly a heinous crime against vulnerable people. And we all have a responsibility to stop that from happening to our citizens. We know people smugglers have no regard for the lives of people, all they care about are the profits. People smugglers will be caught and punished. Sri Lanka and Australia work tirelessly to protect our people from criminal exploitation,” Commander Whitechurch stressed. He added that intelligence sharing, community endearment and awareness building is key to counter the threat.