No Sri Lankan boats to Australia in a year: Australia Emergency Task Force Operations

22 April 2024 09:14 pm - 13 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Colombo, April 22 (Daily Mirror) - During the launch of Operation ’Disi Rala,’ the joint maritime security effort between Australia and Sri Lanka, Mark Whitechurch, who heads the Emergency Task Force Operation Sovereign Borders, mentioned that they had not spotted any boats from Sri Lanka heading to Australia in over a year.

The essence of Operation Disi Rala stresses the shared duty to protect our maritime surroundings.

Appropriately named 'Disi Rala,' meaning 'keeping a watchful eye over the maritime environment,' this collaborative endeavour involves the Australian Border Force (ABF) and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) working together for a week-long initiative, covering the area from Dikkowita to Chilaw.

Addressing the event, Whitechurch said complex threats such as human trafficking and people smuggling requires intricate and unified solutions. It starts with community involvement, urging them to report any relevant information to the community hotline, 041-7501400. Community tips play a vital role in gathering the necessary leads to effectively combat such crimes.

"This is especially crucial in tackling maritime smuggling threats, which are particularly abhorrent crimes against individuals, and it is our genuine responsibility to prevent such exploitation of our citizens.We understand that smugglers have no respect for human life; their sole focus is on profiting from exploiting vulnerable people. While they may evade capture initially, they will eventually be apprehended and face justice for their crimes. Hence, Australia and Sri Lanka are tirelessly working together to protect people from criminal exploitation," Whitechurch said.

"Our approach is multifaceted and collaborative, focusing on community engagement, raising awareness, strategic communication, intelligence sharing and law enforcement. Consequently, over the past year, we haven't observed any boats from Sri Lanka attempting to reach Australia," he said.

"Now, our operations are proving effective. We're not only saving lives and livelihoods but also dismantling people's smuggling networks. It's crucial to continue these efforts. We must remain vigilant because as long as vulnerable people exist, there will be criminals who seek to exploit them. Our duty is to ensure that doesn't happen," he added.

Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 13

Immigrant Monday, 22 April 2024 11:08 PM

If not Sri Lanka, what other countries you have intercepted the boats ?

Jeanne Tuesday, 23 April 2024 03:24 AM

What the hell are you trying to say? Your comment makes no sense at all.

Balla Donkey Tuesday, 23 April 2024 06:17 AM

Are the Sri Lankan smart not being detected?

Lansiya de Mayo Tuesday, 23 April 2024 12:11 PM

No. Sri Lankans know that ity is better to die than to get caught, Lansiya

Shera Tuesday, 23 April 2024 04:08 AM

That's because they are given visas to fly in or they are paying smugglers to get them in to other countries.

Ram Tuesday, 23 April 2024 04:43 AM

SL maritime surveillance appear to be working

Jeya Tuesday, 23 April 2024 06:20 AM

this will help us to improve our passport ranking. great news.

Punchi Tuesday, 23 April 2024 08:10 AM

Indians, Pakistani, Bangladeshis and Chinese Nationals from their paradises have arrived in Whitemans Western Australia and promptly sent to detention camps in Naru

Desmond Tuesday, 23 April 2024 06:36 PM

You should also try to come to our great Australia on a bicycle or a cart pulled by a bull. Sorry you've been rejected so many times.

Tissa Fernando Tuesday, 23 April 2024 09:31 AM

I think that Sri Lankans are going to Canada on visit , student, Temp work and immigrant visas.

boat people Tuesday, 23 April 2024 05:57 PM

The majority of immigrants who come to Australia are from India and China who are well educated and smart that they don't have to risk their life and come by boat. Australia has recently tightened the screws in relation to those who come illiegally by boat. They will be sent immediately to the detention centre in Nauru Papua New Guinea before processing.

Mohan Tuesday, 23 April 2024 06:23 PM

@Punchi, White man also migrated to Australia from Europe.

Wiraj Tuesday, 23 April 2024 06:46 PM

This was earlier the work of a young one from the Rajapakse clan, who collected money from the illegal would be migrants, orders the navy to turn a blind eye so that the boats can reach Australia. Now that AUS navy is strictly monitoring, he had to stop this racket.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

No Sri Lankan boats to Australia in a year: Australia Emergency Task Force Operations

Comments - 13

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

‘Spike in blast fishing’ poses renewed threats to Sri Lanka’s marine ecosystems

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Most Viewed in News

An Int’l summit avoids Sri Lanka due to beggar menace in Colombo

Oil and gas exploration halted by prolonged legal dispute

Ranil’s evolving strategy to win 2024 presidential poll

Gota fires back at Cardinal, rebuts allegations

Heavy taxes for public, duty free vehicles for MPs, senior officials?

AstraZeneca admits for first time its COVID vaccine can cause rare side effect

MIRROR CRICKET

World Cup finalist named in USA T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Co-hosts West Indies announce squad for T20 World Cup

LPL 2024 Player Auction on May 21

ICC announce Match Officials for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Protesting medical students tear-gassed

Fisherman arrested for amassing Rs.90Mn assets beyond his means

Sri Lanka drops 15 positions in World Press Freedom Index: Ranks 150

Young Lawyers flay Tiran for calling eliminating criminals not a sin

World Cup finalist named in USA T20 World Cup 2024 squad

Co-hosts West Indies announce squad for T20 World Cup

LPL 2024 Player Auction on May 21

ICC announce Match Officials for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024