Sri Lanka’s cooperation on the people smuggling and trafficking issues is appreciated said the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Stephen Smith, at a meeting with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama.

The visit to Sri Lanka of the Australian Minister for Immigration and Citizenship had paved the way in enhancing cooperation on human trafficking related issues, he said.

Mr. Smith agreed that Sri Lanka’s priority at this juncture should be resettlement of the displaced and in this context outlined that Australia’s assistance is threefold encompassing IDPs, de-mining and providing equipment for de-mining. He stated the possibility of increasing the assistance for de-mining activities on the part of Australia in order to fast track the return of IDPs to their areas of habitation.

Minister Bogollagama referred to the resettlement of IDPs in Jaffna and Mannar and explained that the screening of approximately 160,000 persons had been completed with 110,000 being issued identity cards.

He pointed out the challenges being faced in the de-mining process even with the involvement of seven INGOs and said the security forces were able to clear the mines more speedily due to their familiarity with the terrain. He welcomed Australia’s offer to increase assistance for de-mining purposes.