Ending arms,human smuggling biggest challenge - New Commander

by Ranil WIJAYAPALA

The biggest challenge faced by the Sri Lanka Navy is preventing the threat posed to the country from the sea by way of arms and human smuggling, drug trafficking and other illegal sea operations without allowing those elements to raise their heads again, said Vice Admiral Somathilaka Dissanayake.

Addressing the media at the Navy Headquarters, the newly appointed Navy Commander said that was what the country expected from the Sri Lanka Navy.

“We have to keep the sea free of those illegal activities”, he added.

Vice Admiral Dissanayake said the Sri Lanka Navy will also have to make a major contribution to the development activities taking place in the country in its future role by way of protecting marine resources.

“We will also have to take care of the fishing community to get their contribution to the country”, he explained. “The role of the Navy is expanding and I am confident of facing those challenges in the future along with the efficient staff of the Sri Lanka Navy”, he said.

The Navy Commander also said a strong foundation has been laid by the Navy along with the Army and the Air Force not to allow terror elements to raise their heads again on Sri Lankan soil. “There is a national program to achieve that end and we as the Sri Lanka Navy has taken steps to strengthen our presence in the coastal belt to increase security, the Navy Commander added.

“We are focusing on improving the training given to sailors and officers and to improve the technology used within the Navy to achieve this target,” he said.