The Cabinet has approved a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding between Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration and China's National Immigration Administration to strengthen regulatory cooperation and combat transnational crime.
Sri Lanka and China are set to formalize a bilateral Memorandum of Understanding focused on immigration and emigration matters. The agreement will be signed between Sri Lanka's Department of Immigration and Emigration and China's National Immigration Administration, following Cabinet approval and clearance from relevant government ministries.
The MoU aims to facilitate travel and streamline immigration processes for individuals involved in business, investment, tourism, and scientific or technical activities between the two countries. It will also establish frameworks for official engagements, including those involving institutional heads and government representatives. A cornerstone of the agreement involves the exchange of official information and intelligence between the two nations' immigration authorities.
Combating transnational crime represents a significant component of the proposed cooperation. The agreement will strengthen joint measures against organized crime, specifically targeting human trafficking and migrant smuggling operations. To support these efforts, both countries plan to conduct training workshops and capacity-building programmes designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of immigration officials.
The draft MoU has received formal approval from Sri Lanka's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Employment and Tourism, and the Attorney General, clearing the way for its signing. Officials expect the agreement to deepen institutional cooperation between the two countries while improving coordination on immigration matters and efforts to address transnational criminal activities.