Secret Aussie fuel deal keeps Lankan navy boats on water

Sri Lankan patrol boats are back on the water deterring would-be people smuggling voyages following a secret deal with Australia to supply the country’s navy with tens of millions of dollars worth of fuel, said a report published by The Australian.It said that the Lanka’s navy has been getting a steady supply of fuel through a secret deal forged with Australia.According to the report, Lankan navy patrol boats are regularly being refuelled in India at Canberra’s expense.

“Due to the secrecy of Operation Sovereign Borders activities, the minister’s office has declined to comment on the agreement, which was put into action about a fortnight ago,” said The Australian.

The report states that the deal was made during Australian Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil’s visit to Colombo in late June, where she met with several accused Sri Lankan war criminals and doubled down on her government’s much-criticised border policy.Alongside the secret deal, the Sri Lankan navy openly admitted that the Australian government openly handed over tens of thousands of litres of fuel to the military.

Over 450 metric tons of fuel were reportedly supplied to the navy earlier this week, whilst 27,000 litres of fuel were given to the air force.Australia’s deal and donations come as part of growing ties with the war crimes accused Sri Lankan military. Last week, an Australian vessel docked in Colombo, as it forcibly sent back 46 asylum seekers who were looking to flee Sri Lanka. The move marked the first time that asylum seekers fleeing Sri Lanka are forcibly brought to the island on board an Australian Border Force ship.