EU - Lanka Joint Readmission Committee meets in Colombo

The Joint Readmission Committee(JRC) under the EU - Sri Lanka Readmission Agreement convened its first meeting in Colombo last week since the signing of the Agreement in June 2004 and its entry into force on May 1, 2005.

The Agreement between the European Community and Sri Lanka on the readmission of persons residing without authorisation is an indication of the commitment of both parties to effectively combat illegal migration, including human trafficking and related criminal activities and to establish streamlined procedures for the safe and orderly return of persons who do not satisfy the criteria to remain on the territories of Sri Lanka or EU countries.

The Sri Lanka delegation was led by Chairman of the Policy Sub Committee of the NCCR, Additional Secretary/Political Affairs (Economic Affairs, East Asia and Pacific and Africas Division) of the Ministry of External Affairs and assisted by the Controller General of the Department of Immigration and Emigration and officials from the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Department of Immigration and Emigration and the Sri Lanka Bureau of Foreign Employment.