AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT DONATES SURVEILLANCE DRONES TO SRI LANKA COAST GUARD

The Commander of the Australian Joint Agency Task Force, Operation Sovereign Borders/ Commander of Maritime Border Command, Rear Admiral Brett Sonter, ceremonially handed over twelve (12) surveillance drones to the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Rohan Joseph, at the Coast Guard Headquarters in Mirissa, in the presence of the Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, His Excellency Matthew Duckworth, on 08^th May 2026.

The Australian High Commissioner, Commander of the Joint Agency Task Force, Operation Sovereign Borders/ Commander of Maritime Border Command, and Inspector Paul Edwards, First Secretary at the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka, were warmly welcomed by the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard upon their arrival at the Coast Guard Headquarters.

This event marked the transfer of essential surveillance equipment and also highlighted the strong cooperation and shared commitment between Australia and Sri Lanka towards enhancing maritime safety and security. The relationship between the Australian Boarder Force and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard has been consistently strengthened through such contributions and collaborative efforts, demonstrating mutual respect and dedication of both nations to ensuring safe and secure maritime environments.

The Australian High Commissioner, Commander of the Joint Agency Task Force, Operation Sovereign Borders/ Commander of Maritime Border Command, and Inspector Paul Edwards, First Secretary at the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka, were warmly welcomed by the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard upon their arrival at the Coast Guard Headquarters.

The Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard also held discussions regarding future corporation between Sri Lanka Coast Guard and the Australian Boarder Force with the visiting delegation.

Signifying the importance of the occasion, mementoes were also exchanged.

The Deputy Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Head of Departments, officers and sailors at Coast Guard Headquarters also attended the event.