Indian Ocean Naval Symposium:

'Strategies needed to enhance maritime security'

By Jayampathy JAYASINGHE

The Bay of Bengal became the focal point at the recently held Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) when it was pointed out that criminal gangs linked to terror groups operate freely smuggling arms, ammunition and drugs to countries due to lack of proper policing of the bay. Sri Lanka's terrorism was nurtured over the years due to not properly policing of the Bay of Bengal, the Secretary to the President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Lalith Weeratunga said at the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) held recently in Colombo.

The Chief Guest on the inaugural day was Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka who said the Indian ocean occupies a prominent position in world geopolitical and trade. There were many challenges in the maritime domain that require an increase in maritime cooperation and interaction among Navies of the states of the Indian region. Therefore a common set of strategies designed to enhance regional maritime security have to be to formulated for speedy and effective response.

He said safety, stability and security were an indivisible part of mankinds endeavour to achieve physical, economic and even spiritual well being and prosperity. The forum was an ideal opportunity to promote a shared understanding of the maritime issues facing nation states of the Indian Ocean.

Several participants from countries such as Australia, Bangladesh, France, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Pakistan, Qatar, Seychelles, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan and Tanzania took part in a two day closed door session. The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) was formed on the deliberations made by the Commanders of the navies around the Indian Ocean who gathered in India in 2008.

The Secretary to the President, Lalith Weeratunga quoting a speech made by the Indian President Dr. Manmohan Singh, said crime and its implication on regional maritime security, was extremely important for the sustenance of economies, social fabric, cultures and above all identities of nations. Crimes such as terrorism, narcotics, arms and weapons smuggling, piracy was a threat to our growing naval commerce that also affects innocent fishermen and tourists.

He said human trafficking was another factor to reckon with that affects Sri Lanka. President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the BIMSTEC conference held last year emphasised the need for policing the Bay of Bengal. He further said that countries in the region should share and build a network of information and intelligence to ensure, territorial integrity and sovereignty of nations. Sea lanes of the region have become important due to international trade.

A significant volume of cargo to and from the Far East go through the sea lanes. Therefore a better understanding of oceans around and gathering of information will provide better security for nations.

The inaugural session of the IONS was declared opened by the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh in 2008. The primary aim of IONS is to promote a shared understanding of the maritime issues facing states of the Indian Ocean. The formation of a common set of strategies was designed to enhance regional maritime security.

The Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda said the Indian Ocean and the states are of significance and importance as it contains 1/3 of the world population, 25 percent of the landmass and 40 percent of the world's oil and gas reserves. He said the Indian Ocean was the third largest ocean in terms of area and the oldest civilisation blossomed in lands around the Indian ocean and seas adjacent to it. The threats facing the present day law abiding states was not due to territorial or ideological ambitions of other nations but due to manifestations of malevolent non state entities. The Commander expressed

his personal gratitude and that of the Sri Lanka Navy to Admiral Sureesh Mehta and the Indian Navy for the support extended towards the conduct of the IONS, the first Technical seminar in Sri Lanka. He also thanked the participating countries.

The invitees from the following countries participated. Director Sea Power Centre -Australia Capt Gordon A. Andrew and Director of Technical Regulation, Cdr, Michael Richardson, Capt. K. Kamrul Hassan and Cdr, Mohammad Sajedul Karim of Bangladesh, Cdr, CF Emeric de Seze, Cdr. Pascal Carre of France, Capt.Pradeep Singh, Cdr, Mukesh Kumar , Cdr, V Ganapathy, Cdr. Bharat Gaur of India, Asst. Operations to Commander in Chief of the Military Sea Lift Command, Capt Harjo Susmoro of Indonesia, Cdr. Wiranto, Staff Officers in Material Service, So, 1 Policy Plans Kenya Navy Hqrs, Mombasa, Lt. Col Glenn K. Majanga, Assistant to the Commandant of the Navy, Naval Staff Antananarivo Madagascar, Capt. Jacques Florin Ramaherison, and Executive Officer Naval Base Antsiranana, Madagascar, Cdr. Marosoa Nonenana Randrianarisoa, Cdr. Azhar bin Jumaatt, Malaysia, Brig Gen Zakariyya Mansoor and Lt. Col Ahmed Zareer of Maldives, Inspector Hastanand Cauleechurn of Mauritius, Col. Syed Khurram Hassnain Alam of Pakistan, Major. Baseeth Sair Al Shammari and Major Yousuf Salith Al Hurr of Qatar, Officer Commanding Electro & Mechanical Engineering Department Seychelles Coast Guard, Major Georges Adeline of Seychelles, Major Nicholas Lim of Singapore, Col. Sydney Mawethu Mdlulwa of South Africa, Captain Engineering Department (North) Capt. Rienzie Samarahewa, and Deputy Director Naval Projects and Plans, Capt. Prasanna Alahakoon, of Sri Lanka, Military Attache to India and Sri Lanka, Major Gen. Abdelmoniem Mohamed Ali A. Mutalab of Sudan, and Mohieldin Yousuf Mohamed and Col. Joachim Endeles Karia and Col. Hamis Issa Majumba of Tanzania.

The other distinguished invitees at the inaugural session was the Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama, the Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dr. Palitha Kohona, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Rear Admiral T.S.G. Samarasinghe, the Chief of Staff, Director General Engineering Rear Admiral D.N. Dharmaweera and Director General Operations Rear Admiral J.S.K. Kolombage, Director General Electrical and Electronics Rear Admiral G.C. Hettigama.