Sri Lanka to acquire ships from India

COLOMBO, November 18: Given its proximity to one of the busiest sea lanes in the world, Sri Lanka has embarked on a plan to expand its Navy with Indian support to tackle the twin challenges of piracy and narco-terrorism.
Emphasising this, Sri Lankan Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa, told senior Naval officers who gathered here for the Galle Dialogue that Sri Lanka had recently revamped and expanded its Coast Guard Department whilst further strengthening its vastly experienced Navy. He emphasised this at an interaction at Temple Trees, the official residence of the President here on Friday. He also used the opportunity to interact with children who had arrived there, and also had a few words of advice for them.
"If, with the assistance of friendly nations, Sri Lanka can obtain naval assets capable of operating in deep seas, our overall capabilities will be greatly increased. Considering also the warm relationships this country enjoys with the major naval powers in the region, I am certain that Sri Lanka will be able to play a greater role in upholding the maritime safety of the entire Indian Ocean region. This will be to the benefit not only of the regional nations, but to the world," he said.
Elaborating on this, a senior Defence official said that Sri Lanka had approached India for acquiring two offshore patrol vessels and the process had been set in motion a few months ago. But the pace of forward movement on these has been slow since in India, all such deals have to go to the highest level - the Cabinet. Besides, finances too have to be tied up to ensure that the building of the vessels proceed without a hitch.
Describing the Galle Dialogue as a "great success," the official pointed out that many countries such as China, Pakistan and the United States had sent senior officials to the conference because of the growing need to tackle the issue head-on. India had sent its Naval Operations in-charge, a Captain level officer. (Agencies)


2011-11-18



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