The Australian Border Protections Force (ABF) yesterday (14) gifted several All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) with the aim of improving the local agencies coastal surveillance, patrol and crime prevention capabilities. The agile and capable off-road vehicles are equipped with advanced communications equipment and will also be augmented with small unmanned drones to improve the Coast Guard’s situational awareness and response capabilities, be it for crime fighting, disaster response or for search and rescue, the SLCG said. Addressing a gathering held at Colombo Port yesterday, Commander of Australia’s Joint Agency Task Force (JATF) Operation Sovereign Borders, Rear Admiral Brett Sonter said that the donation of the ATVs were part of Australia’s Enhanced Measures package for Sri Lanka, announced in 2023. 

“We are pleased to be in a position to gift these ATVs to our gold standard partner” R. Adm. Sonter said, highlighting the long standing relationship between Australia and Sri Lanka on maritime crime prevention. In picture; R. Adm. Sonter handing over an ATV to DG SLCG R. Adm. Pujitha Vithana. 

PHOTO Ishan Sanjeewa