Australia pays India for fuel supplied to Lankan military

In support of ‘Operation Sovereign Borders’

By Shamindra Ferdinando

In line with a tripartite agreement involving Australia, India and Sri Lanka, the latter has so far received approximately 1.1 mn ltr of diesel and 50,000 ltr of aviation fuel to sustain operations meant to combat transnational crimes, particularly human smuggling.

Australia and India are members of the US-led ‘Quad’ military alliance that includes Japan.

Authoritative sources said that Australia paid for fuel supplied by India to the Sri Lankan military.

The unprecedented Australian move was meant to ensure the continuation of Sri Lankan efforts to thwart fishing craft smuggling Lankans to that country.

The arrangement that had been under discussion with the previous administration got underway after the change of government, sources said. The parliament elected Ranil Wickremesinghe on July 03 to complete the remainder of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s five year-term.

The Australian support was in support of ‘Operation Sovereign Borders’ launched in 2013 to turn back would be asylum seekers.

Sources said that Australia stepped in amidst fears cash-strapped Sri Lanka was about to drastically reduce deployment of naval and air assets unable to purchase vital fuel supplies.

Responding to another query, sources said that an Advanced Offshore Patrol Vessel (AOPV) of the SLN had been deployed to move both diesel and aviation fuel stocks from India to Sri Lanka. The vessel is equipped to transport aviation fuel.

Sources said that the Indian involvement in this particular endeavour was not part of the assistance provided this year in support of the Sri Lankan government.

India recently provided a maritime reconnaissance aircraft to Sri Lanka.

Sources said that the Australian funding greatly strengthened Sri Lanka’s efforts to sustain air and sea patrols, particularly at a time the government found it extremely difficult to pay for fuel supplies.

As part of the overall efforts to cut down on fuel import bill, the military, too, has been compelled to restrict activity, sources said. The government declared special holiday for student community, closed down Universities, granted permission for public servants to work from home and finally introduced national fuel pass to curb usage of both petrol and diesel.

“Australia is pleased to be working with India to provide

fuel to Sri Lanka’s navy and air force. It will help our long-standing cooperation against transnational crime to continue. As Indian Ocean

neighbours, all three countries share a commitment to preserving regional

security,” new Australian High Commissioner in Colombo Paul Stephens tweeted on Monday.

In spite of Sri Lanka’s continuing failure to appoint a High Commissioner to Canberra, bilateral relations continued to improve with Australia providing significant support during the crisis.