Australian Foreign Minister to visit Sri Lanka on Friday

Australia’s Foreign Minister Senator Bob Carr will make a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka from 14-17 December, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said in a statement Tuesday.

Senator Carr will hold talks with Sri Lanka’s leadership including the External Affairs Minister, Professor G.L. Peiris.

The talks will cover aid, economic development, human rights and people smuggling issues, the Department said.

This will be Senator Carr’s first visit to the island as Foreign Minister.

According to the Foreign Affairs Department, Australia provides $ 47 million a year in aid to Sri Lanka, with a focus on education and the rebuilding of economic infrastructure following the end of the civil conflict in 2009.

Past aid contributions include clearing of unexploded ordinance and land mines, rebuilding of homes and schools and delivery of water and sanitation to nearly 44,000 people.

Sri Lanka is an important regional partner in the fight against people smuggling. The Sri Lankan Navy this year alone has prevented nearly 3,000 illegal asylum seekers entering into Australia on more than 60 separate people smuggling ventures.