Operation Disi Rela 3: Australia and Sri Lanka Deploy Advanced Tech to Secure Waters

In a major move to safeguard the Indian Ocean’s critical trade lanes, Australia and Sri Lanka have officially launched Phase 3 of ‘Operation Disi Rela’ in Colombo. The joint maritime security initiative is actively running from June 8 to 17 across vital coastal networks, including Colombo, Trincomalee, Valaichchenai, Batticaloa, and Mirissa, to strengthen regional surveillance and combat transnational maritime threats.

To directly support this security blanket, the Australian Government has donated a fleet of 12 long-range drones and 5 high-performance All-Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard. For international shipping lines navigating our waters, this operation provides crucial peace of mind. Enhanced maritime surveillance means fewer illicit disruptions along the coast, cementing Sri Lanka’s reputation as a secure, predictable gateway for global cargo carriers.

Source: Daily Mirror – Australia and Sri Lanka launch third phase of Operation Disi Rela – June 9, 2026