Sri Lankan Coast Guard incepted under directives of Secretary Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa as a fully fledged sea patrolling unit assisting Sri Lanka Navy celebrated its first anniversary today (04th March).
“Maritime-Law-enforcement, key role of the SLCG will be of paramount importance as it seeks further development of capability to thwart poaching in Sri Lankan territorial waters”, said Rear Admiral L D Dharmapriya, Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guar.
Religious observations including a Pirith Chanting ceremony followed by alms giving was held at the SLCG ‘Rohana’ in Mirissa. Further, in parallel with the anniversary celebrations members of the SLCG engaged in ‘Shramadana’ activities at the Mirissa fishing harbor and the Mirissa hospital.
“Deployment of Coast Guard units would help the country counter unsubstantiated allegations leveled against the SLN of indiscriminate attacks on the Tamil Nadu fishing fleet, Rear Admiral Dharmapriya said.
Rear Admiral Dharmapriya expressing optimism on international co-ordination and cooperation to stem the flow of illegal immigrants said that the SLCG could closely work with Australia, India, Japan and the US.