Regional envoys discuss human smuggling

External Affairs Minister G L Peiris told the Heads of Missions of select affected countries of the region that human smuggling was a global security issue linked to other areas of transnational organized crimes such as financing of terrorism, money laundering, human trafficking and trafficking in arms. "Sri Lanka was an example where the LTTE during the past conflict had benefited from its human smuggling networks worldwide in order to finance its activities in Sri Lanka.

Even today when security and stability has been re-established, Sri Lanka continues to be negatively affected by this problem as these networks rely on disseminating a false image of Sri Lanka internationally to sustain their activities," he added. The Ambassadors who participated explained some of the steps taken by their countries to address human smuggling. The acting Australian High Commissioner said Australia is very concerned about human smuggling, and has engaged in productive cooperation with Sri Lankan authorities to address this issue.

The Canadian High Commissioner stated that the recent incidents of illegal migration from Sri Lanka have attracted a lot of attention in Canada. The government has appointed a distinguished senior civil servant as Special Envoy on People Smuggling to address this problem, he said.

The Indonesian Ambassador of Indonesia said that his country is a transit point for those who want to travel illegally to Australia." He observed that during the last two years, there has been a rise in the number of Sri Lankans who arrive in Indonesia legally and then travel to Australia illegally. Indonesia has tightened its security to thwart such efforts and will cooperate with Sri Lanka in this regard. Currently discussions are underway to repatriate 342 Sri Lankan illegal migrants who have been apprehended in Indonesia," he added.

The Thailand Ambassador said that his country has already tightened its visa procedures to prevent abuse by illegal migrants headed to other countries. A large number of Sri Lankans have been arrested in Thailand for immigration offences, observed the Ambassador.

The Malaysia Ambassador also reiterated the need for co-operation among the countries affected by human smuggling operations. Malaysia also has arrested approximately 200 illegal migrants from Sri Lanka.

This issue must be addressed bilaterally and also regionally though such fora as the ASEAN and the Bali process, he said.

Justice Ministry Secretary Suhada Gamlath said Ministry had taken a lead role to curb human smuggling. Some of the measures included strengthening existing legal structures, establishing national level task forces, awareness - building mechanisms such as between the Sri Lankan Government and Australia, and training programs for judges, prosecutors and investigators. Justice Ministry is looking at this issue in all its dimensions including other 'white collar' offences such as money laundering.