Australian government increase emergency aid by another Aus $ 25 million

Friday, 19 August 2022 - 11:53

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The Australian government will increase the emergency aid to Sri Lanka by another AU$25 million as the country grapples with an economic crisis that has triggered a new surge of people fleeing on boats for Australia.

In the midst of Sri Lanka’s freefall, Australia committed AU$50 million in June in urgent humanitarian backing. On Friday, it announced a further AU$25 million to fast-track food and health supplies to those in most need to Sri Lanka. 

“Australia stands with the people of Sri Lanka, especially those experiencing severe hardship,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said.

“It is in Australia’s national interest to strengthen Sri Lanka’s economic resilience and accelerate its recovery.”

Sri Lanka’s worst financial meltdown has led to skyrocketing prices and crippling shortages of food, fuel and other necessities over the past three months and year-on-year inflation has climbed beyond 60 per cent.

The deterioration of living conditions has resulted in a renewal of attempted boat arrivals in Australia from Sri Lanka, with five vessels being intercepted by Australian Border Force with a total of 137 people on board and 15 more, carrying 701 passengers all up, being stopped in Sri Lankan waters.

Boat arrivals also became a key focus on the day of May’s federal election after the Liberal Party texted voters in marginal seats about the interception of an asylum seeker boat that morning.

In the past week, China, docked a scientific research ship at southern Sri Lanka’s Hambantota port despite concerns raised by India.

The beefed-up support package comes a fortnight after an unprecedented move when Australian Border Force used its own patrol vessel to return 46 men to Colombo that it had intercepted at sea rather than taking them back by air.

In a deliberate message aimed at discouraging people from paying people smugglers and boarding boats towards Australia, the 110-metre Ocean Shield was given a publicised welcoming ceremony by the Sri Lanka Navy after pulling into the port in the capital city.



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