Human trafficking:

Sri Lanka expedites stringent action

Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama meeting with Senator Christopher Evans, Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship on July 24 at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed that issues on illicit migration is very serious and that Sri Lanka is taking stringent action to prosecute those involved in such illegal activities. While strongly condemning illicit migration, the Minister urged the Australian Minister to watch out for the illegal movement of persons between countries since terrorists may move undetected in guise of illegal immigrants, particularly, in the aftermath of the conflict, LTTE activists could be involved in human trafficking using their networks previously used for ferrying weapons and armaments.

Both Ministers agreed that the issue of peoples smuggling should be stopped. Greater strengthening of intelligence cooperation and sharing of intelligence between the two countries was also discussed.

Discussing the forthcoming Ad Hoc Group Meeting of the Bali Process in Bali on 27th July, the two Ministers agreed that Sri Lanka and Australia had cooperated well within the Bali Process.