The two long-range Australian patrol boats the federal government has gifted Sri Lanka are critical in stopping people travelling to Australia, Immigration Minister Scott Morrison says.
The Bay-class patrol boats, recently retired from Australian service, will be used to intercept asylum-seeker boats before they leave Sri Lankan waters.
Mr Morrison said Sri Lanka had been a consistent supporter of both the current and former Australian governments.
"Sri Lanka is a critical partner in our efforts to ensure that we put paid to the people smuggling trade," Mr Morrison told parliament on Monday.
"That announcement of gifting actual patrol boats to engage in actual patrols to stop people coming to Australia illegally by boat is the sort of cooperation, the sort of assistance that I know the Sri Lankan government was seeking," he said.
