AUSTRALIAN BORDER FORCE DONATES EQUIPMENT TO SRI LANKA COAST GUARD

In a significant gesture of bilateral cooperation, the Australian Border Force (ABF) donated equipment to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) to support maritime safety and security operations.This donation coincided with the conclusion of the second iteration of “Disi Rela 2”, a joint bilateral maritime exercise between the two nations. The exercise was conducted from 2^nd to 6^th June 2025, covering the fishing ports of Mirissa, Devinuwara, Hambantota, and Kirinda in Sri Lanka. As a part of this initiative, the Australian Border Force also conducted a specialized training programme for SLCG officers at the SLCG Headquarters in Mirissa on 17^th July 2025, focusing on effective communication methods and operational message exchange techniques.

This collaboration comes at a critical time, as the global legal framework for maritime security is being challenged by rising non-traditional maritime threats such as human trafficking, drug smuggling, illegal migration, sea piracy, unregulated and unreported fishing, and marine pollution. These threats continue to endanger marine ecosystems and coastal security.To combat against these evolving challenges, the Australian Border Force handed over a collection of equipments to the Operations Center located at SLCG Headquarters. This equipment is expected to significantly strengthen Sri Lanka’s maritime domain awareness and response capabilities.

The First Secretary, Inspector Paul Edwards, from Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka ceremonially handed over the items to Deputy Director General Sri Lanka Coast Guard Commodore Manoj Leelarathna and Delegation from Australian High Commission senior and junior officers from the Coast Guard Headquarters were also present on this occasion.