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Australia stresses importance of ‘Operation Sovereign Borders’

Published

4 years ago

2022/06/25

Thilina Walpola

warns of deeper consequences for region if Lanka crisis continues

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Opposition lawmaker Weerasumana Weerasinghe yesterday (24) said the current economic crisis had compelled most Sri Lankans to migrate even risking their lives in some cases.The Matara District Communist Party MP said that the never ending queue at the Passport Office indicated that those who had lost all hope here were trying to leave the country. However, a significant number of people, in some instances whole families, were risking their lives to reach developed countries. The MP was commenting on the latest detection made by the Navy, off the western coast.

The Navy Thursday (23) evening intercepted a fishing trawler carrying a group of persons seeking asylum in Australia. Navy headquarters said that five smugglers were among 35 persons arrested in the seas off Panadura. The arrested would be asylum seekers comprised 29 adults and six children.

The Navy said the inspection of the vessel indicated that it hadn’t been in a condition to undertake a long sea voyage.

The Navy said that the arrested, aged 06 to 56, were residents of Trincomalee, Mannar, Batticaloa, Negombo, Kalpitiya and Nuwara Eliya and they were handed over to the Colombo Harbour Police.Lawmaker Weerasinghe alleged that the people should be mindful of racketeers who passed information to authorities after collecting money from would-be asylum seekers. The MP urged the government to address issues at hand or face a major crisis. Dozens of boats carrying Sri Lankan Tamils have reached Tamil Nadu during the past few months.

The Panadura detection was the first since a top Australian delegation held talks at the Defence Headquarters Complex, at Pelawatte, on Monday (20) with the defence hierarchy here. Australia, a member of the ‘Quad’ allianc, comprising the US, Japan and India, intended to meet the perceived growing Chinese challenge in the Asia-Pacific region.

The Australian delegation was led by Minister for Home Affairs and Cyber Security, Clare O’Neil MP while Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne headed the Sri Lankan delegation. It was O’Neil’s first overseas visit in her new capacity, following federal election in late May this year. The Labour Party won the election after being in the Opposition for almost a decade.

The Australian delegation included Australian Border Force Commissioner Michael Outram APM, Commander of the Joint Agency Task Force Rear Admiral Justin Jones, Commander, Transnational Operations of Australian Federal Police Richard Chin, Ambassador and Assistant Secretary of People Smuggling and Human Trafficking Branch Lucienne Manton, Australian High Commissioner in Colombo David Holly and the Deputy HC Amanda Jewell.

The Australian delegation arrived here in the wake of the Navy intercepting a fishing trawler carrying dozens of illegal migrants to Australia, the fifth such attempt to be blocked in May.

During discussions here, Minister O’Neil repeatedly emphasized that there was no change in Australia’s border protection policies or Operation Sovereign Borders launched in 2013. In spite the change of government, Australia would continue to sustain the controversial operation meant to thwart illegal immigration. Minister O’Neil, during discussions with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, and Foreign Minister Prof. G.L. Peiris, emphasized the new government’s resolve to curb human smuggling.

In line with overall Australian strategy to prevent Sri Lanka becoming a launch pad for people smugglers’ boats, Australia has also sponsored Sri Lanka Navy participation in the US hosted RIMPAC Exercise 2022 to enhance cooperation. The 50-member SLN group comprising 48 marines and two Special Boat Squadron (SBS) personnel has been assigned to HMAS Canberra of the Royal Australian Navy for a two weeks acclimatization programme and would subsequently leave for Hawaiian Islands and Southern California, United States, onboard HMAS Canberra for RIMPAC 2022. The exercise is scheduled to commence on July 04.

MP Weerasinghe said that recent assistance provided by Australia should be examined taking into consideration its determination to stop asylum seekers from Sri Lanka and also the overall Western strategy. All four Quad navies are participating in the exercise.Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong in a brief statement that coincided with Minister O’Neil’s visit explained the measures taken by them to assist Sri Lanka mitigate the current economic crisis.Accordingly, Sri Lanka would receive $50 million in Official Development Assistance (ODA) to meet urgent food and healthcare needs.Minister Wing asserted that Sri Lanka currently faced its worst economic crisis in seventy years, leading to shortages of food, medicine and fuel.

Minister Wong said: “Australia has a close and long-standing relationship with Sri Lanka. Not only do we want to help the people of Sri Lanka in its time of need, there are also deeper consequences for the region if this crisis continues. We will contribute an immediate $22 million to the World Food Programme for emergency food assistance to help three million people in Sri Lanka meet their daily nutritional needs. Australia will also provide $23 million in development assistance to Sri Lanka in 2022-23.This will support health services, and economic recovery, with a strong emphasis on protecting those at risk, especially women and girls. These contributions are in addition to $5 million recently provided to United Nations agencies for Sri Lanka.”

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Health authorities on high alert over Nipah Virus threat

Published

20 hours ago

2026/02/8

Thilina Walpola

Sri Lanka has stepped up efforts to detect and respond to a potential outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus (NiV), with health authorities enhancing surveillance and laboratory readiness amid growing concerns in the region.

The Medical Research Institute (MRI), the country’s premier laboratory, has upgraded its testing capacity with the latest technology to identify the Nipah virus, enabling early detection of suspected cases, an MRI source said.

Nipah virus is a highly infectious zoonotic disease that can spread from animals

to humans and also through human-to-human contact. Fruit bats are the natural hosts of the virus.

First identified in Malaysia in 1988, the virus has since caused deadly outbreaks in countries including India and Bangladesh. Experts warn that Sri Lanka, with its close human-animal interactions and tropical climate, must remain vigilant against such emerging infectious diseases.

The case fatality rate of Nipah virus ranges from 40% to 75%, making it one of the most lethal viral infections affecting humans. There are currently no specific drugs or vaccines, with treatment relying mainly on intensive supportive care, health specialists say.

Symptoms of infection initially include fever, headaches, muscle pain, vomiting, and sore throat, followed by dizziness, drowsiness, altered consciousness, and neurological signs indicating acute encephalitis. Severe cases may progress to atypical pneumonia, acute respiratory distress, seizures, and coma within 24 to 48 hours.Authorities continue to urge heightened awareness and precautionary measures, emphasizing that early detection and rapid response are key to preventing outbreaks.

by Chaminda Silva ✍️

News

Free Media Movement demands govt. accountability on free speech issues

Published

20 hours ago

2026/02/8

Thilina Walpola

The Free Media Movement (FMM) has demanded government accountability on many freedom of expression issues referred to in a statement issued by the Human Rights Commission in a statement issued last week.

The statement under the hands of FMM Convener Lasantha De Silva and Secretary Dileesha Abeysundera says FMM has paid close attention to the statement issued by the Human Rights Commission (HRC) under reference number HRC/S/i/E/03/02/26. It has also informed that global stakeholders, including the International Federation of Journalists—of which it is a member—that are already closely monitoring this matter.

In its statement, HRC has elaborated at length on the issues that have arisen in Sri Lanka concerning freedom of expression and online safety. It specifically points out that the actions of the Sri Lanka Police have been a major contributing factor to these concerns. The Commission notes that recent conduct of the police has indirectly interfered even with the professional activities of journalists.

HRC has also drawn attention to the practice of summoning journalists and other activists before the police without providing clear reasons, in violation of circulars issued by the IGP. In certain instances, the police have stated that journalists were summoned due to alleged defamation arising from media activities.

However, freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution is restricted only within constitutionally prescribed limits. Accordingly, defamation that is no longer a criminal offence cannot be acted upon by the police. Such matters constitute civil offences that must be resolved before courts of law. The Commission further observes that attempts by politicians and others to lodge complaints with the Criminal Investigation Department regarding defamation are efforts to portray defamation as a criminal offence.

The HRC statement also addresses the Online Safety Act. While emphasizing the need to be mindful of online safety, the Commission points out that the current law does not address genuine needs. Therefore, as already demanded by many stakeholders, the government has the option to repeal this Act.

In addition, HRC has outlined a three-pronged approach that should be adopted to safeguard freedom of expression, as guaranteed by the Constitution and in line with Sri Lanka’s commitments under the Universal Declaration of Human Rights of the United Nations.

FMM said it is of the view that the Government of Sri Lanka must give serious consideration to this statement and to the recommendations emphasized therein. “This is a moment in which the accountability of the Sri Lankan government is being questioned. Accordingly, the Free Media Movement urges the government to take immediate steps to implement the recommendations set out in this statement,” it said.

News

Opposition alleges Govt deliberately delaying PC polls

Published

20 hours ago

2026/02/8

Thilina Walpola

ITAK Batticaloa District MP Shanakiyan Rasamanickam accused the government in Parliament on Friday of deliberately delaying Provincial Council elections, pointing to its failure to nominate members to a Parliamentary Select Committee.

The committee, tasked with considering matters related to Provincial Council polls, was announced on 6 January 2026. Opposition parties submitted their nominees promptly.

However, a month later, the government has yet to name its eight members, preventing the committee from being constituted and from commencing its work, Rasamanickam alleged.

Opposition representatives argue that this delay represents intentional inaction aimed at postponing elections. They urged the government to appoint its nominees without further delay to allow the committee to proceed.