Sri Lanka has taken delivery of a patrol vessel from Australia which will be used to prevent human smuggling from the island, the navy said today.
The handing over ceremony took place last week in Cairns, Australia, the navy said.
"The fully furbished Australian Bay-class patrol vessel will substantially augment the SLN's (Sri Lankan navy) capacity as it is able to cover a large area of the Indian Ocean and serve Sri Lanka's Search and Rescue Area more effectively.
"The event symbolises the commitment of the key partners in enhancing maritime security in the region and the bilateral cooperation that exists between the two governments on combating people smuggling," the navy said.
The boat's delivery followed a pledge made by the Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott here in November when he attended the Commonwealth summit.
Australia recently marked 100 days since the last human smuggling attempt into Australia.
They said during the previous 100-day period between December 2012 and March 2013 there had been 66 illegal boats carrying 3,879 people to Australia.
In December, Australia announced the introduction of a ban on permanent protection visas for people arriving illegally. They set up transit centers in Papua New Guinea and Nauru for such illegal arrivals.
Since October 2012, Australia has returned to Sri Lanka over 1,100 illegal arrivals by boat.
Australia's policy of cooperation with the Sri Lankan government on the human smuggling issue has been questioned by international rights groups.
The Abbott government has faced criticism for its refusal to co-sponsor the last week's UN Human Rights Council resolution on Sri Lanka's rights record.
Australia and New Zealand both came in for praise from Sri Lanka for refusing to co-sponsor the US-moved resolution.
