Colombo, Sri Lanka (CU)_ The Australian and Sri Lankan governments have renewed their collaboration to strengthen the regional border security by inaugurating the Sri Lankan Border Risk Assessment Centre (BRAC) at the Department of Immigration and Emigration near Colombo. The BRAC is a new intelligence organization reporting directly to the Ministry of Defence. It will enable Sri Lankan agencies to exchange their collective intelligence, technology, resources, and real-time information in order to promote legal travel and commerce while also investigating and addressing the illegal activity.
According to Karen Andrews, Australia’s Minister for Home Affairs, the inauguration of the BRAC marked another key milestone in the cooperation between Australia and Sri Lanka, since it is a vital part of the two nations’ Integrated Border Management project, which Australia has funded with over $5 million. Minister Andrews spoke about the BRAC and its significance to the two countries. She said, “The BRAC is just the latest example of the collaborative approach Australia and Sri Lanka have taken to combatting regional crime and facilitating legitimate trade and travel”.
Andrews further added about the initiatives undertaken to monitor the borders. She said, “We are also proud to have worked with Sri Lanka to support the installation of Vessel Tracking and Monitoring Solution transponders on more than 4500 multi-day fishing vessels, as well as assisting in the establishment of a land-based monitoring centre that enhances Sri Lanka’s maritime domain awareness and surveillance capability”. She also complimented the Sri Lankan Navy for their immense support. She said, “I thank the Sri Lankan Navy and Coast Guard for their tireless work in combating maritime crime, including illegal, unregulated and unreported fishing in the region, as well as other transnational crime including maritime people smuggling.”
Chamal Rajapaksa, Minister of Irrigation, State Minister of Home Affairs and State Minister of National Security and Disaster Management, spoke about the benefits of BRAC to the nation. He said, “The BRAC will significantly strengthen Sri Lanka’s border against illicit migrants, criminals, smugglers, and terrorists, while also streamlining the entry and exit of legitimate business persons, travellers, and tourists – all of whom are vital to national and regional economic recovery as we emerge from the pandemic.”
