US surveillance boats move into action

by our Defence Correspondent

The ten rigid hull inflatable speed boats equipped with the radar based maritime system gifted by the US Government were put into operation immediately after they were presented to the Sri Lankan Navy by the US envoy Robert O Blake at the Trincomalee Naval base on Thursday.

The Navy spokesperson Commander, D. K. P. Dassanayake said that the new US surveillance boats will help in a big way in detecting LTTE vessels which engage in gun running activities.

"The Navy has deployed the ten rigid hull inflatable boats with their radar system soon after they were received from the US envoy.

These boats would be extremely useful in intercepting LTTE vessels and detecting them. Since September last year, the Navy with its limited resources had successfully destroyed eight big LTTE vessels which were attempting to bring lethal cargo for the outfit via the North and East waters.

The American built new additions are expected to be very effective in maintaining the maritime surveillance system and is vastly used by the American Navy and the Coast Guard. Several countries are also using these US built vessels in counter terrorism operations in the high seas," Commander Dassanayake said.

The spokesperson said that the boats gifted to the Sri LanKan Navy by the US Government shows its steadfast nature in fighting terrorism.More countries have also pledged to assist the Sri Lankan Navy in fighting terrorism with logistical support, he said.