President Maithripala Sirisena held bilateral meetings with the Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull at the UN Headquarters in New York, yesterday (20).

President Sirisena appreciated the assistance given by the Government of Australia to Sri Lanka for the country’s development drive and the Australian Prime Minister also extended his gratitude to the Government of Sri Lanka and the President for the cooperation extended towards Australia to curb human smuggling and he further said that the Government of Australia has very liberal and humanitarian policy and welcome genuine migrants.

However, stern actions have to be taken regarding the organized human trafficking by criminal groups and in some situations it is connected to drug smuggling, he added. He also said that it is not only a concern to Australia, but also region too. In these circumstances Australia is very grateful for Sri Lanka for the cooperation extended to them in this regard.

President is currently in New York participating the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).