Govt reviews plan to place retiring sailors in global maritime jobs

Colombo, April 23 (Daily Mirror) - Review progress on expanding foreign employment opportunities for retiring Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) personnel in the shipping and marine sector was the focus of a follow-up discussion held at the Office of the Deputy Minister of Defence in Colombo.

The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence Aruna Jayasekera and Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku.

Discussions centred on progress made since the previous meeting, particularly on establishing a structured mechanism to facilitate internationally recognized professional qualifications for retiring naval personnel. The Deputy Ministers reviewed steps taken to address gaps in certification requirements needed for entry into the global maritime industry.

The meeting also explored practical measures to improve coordination among key stakeholders, including the Sri Lanka Navy, the Ministry of Defence, and maritime regulatory authorities. Emphasis was placed on expediting efforts to develop a sustainable framework enabling retiring personnel to obtain internationally accepted competency certifications in line with global maritime standards.

The discussion was attended by the Commander of the Navy, the Director General of Merchant Shipping, the Additional Secretary (Civil Security and Development), and senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka Navy, and the Merchant Shipping Secretariat.