The Australian Prime Minister has expressed his appreciation about the measures taken by the Navy to prevent illegal emigrations.
The Australian government is to provide two patrol vessels to strengthen sea patrolling. The Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott who arrived in the island to participate in the CHOGM attended a special discussion on board the Naval vessel Sayura at the Colombo harbour. The Australian Prime Minister was welcomed by Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa on his arrival at the Naval headquarters. After observing the vessel the Australian Prime Minister participated in a special discussion. Ministers Prof. G.L. Peiris, Rauf Hakeem, the Australian High Commissioner in Sri Lanka Robyn Moody, the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in Australia Admiral Tisara Samarasinghe, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Jayanath Colambage, Army Commander Lt. General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Air Force Air Martial Harsha Abeywickrama, IGP N.K. Ilangakoon and the Director of the Coast Guard Rear Admiral Ravindra Wijegunawardena also participated in the discussion. The Australian Prime Minister commended the measures taken by the Navy to prevent illegal emigration. Addressing the media after the discussion, the Australian Prime Minister stated that about 4000 illegal immigrants from Sri Lanka arrived in Australia and no one knows how many have drowned. The vessels were given for humanitarian purposes. He congratulated the President for the success of the summit. He said that Sri Lanka has come through many troubles and today there is more freedom and prosperity.
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