The Australian Government will gift a former Royal Australian Air Force Beechcraft KA350 King Air aircraft (registration A32-673) to the Sri Lankan Government. The aircraft will be used to enhance Sri Lanka’s sovereign aerial maritime surveillance capability. This was conveyed to President Ranil Wickremesinghe when an Australian delegation led by the Australian High Commissioner Paul Stephens met the President at the Presidential Secretariat on Friday (12).
The gift of the aircraft is part of the Australian Government’s commitment to strengthening and enhancing the cooperation and collaboration that is the foundation of the strong bilateral
relationship between Australia and Sri Lanka. A key focus of this relationship remains the continued cooperation on countering all forms of transnational crime, including drug
smuggling, as well as strengthening border management through intelligence sharing and the deterrence, disruption, interception and return of maritime people smuggling ventures under the border security operation known as Operation Sovereign Borders.
The Australian Government greatly values this cooperation, which has led to the disruption of a significant number of maritime people smuggling ventures, and has protected the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable people by preventing criminal exploitation, dangerous sea voyages and loss of life at sea.
Following the Australian Minister for Home Affairs’ visit to Sri Lanka in June last year, the Home Affairs Department has driven forward a number of new initiatives in these areas, in partnership with a number of Sri Lankan Government departments. In pursuing these initiatives, Australia has emphasised the importance of supporting Sri Lanka to develop sovereign capabilities.
The Australian Government will also provide sustainment support for 12 months, after which sustainment will become the responsibility of the Sri Lanka Government.
The Australian Government is confident that this gift will further strengthen the strong bilateral relationship between Australia and Sri Lanka, and will help to enhance Sri Lanka’s ability to counter transnational crime and protect borders.
Deputy High Commissioner Lalita Kapur, First Secretary Brett Zehnder and Defence Advisor Captain Ian Cain were also present at this meeting.