Sri Lanka Navy gets cabinet nod for maritime security operations

The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the Sri Lanka Navy to independently conduct maritime security operations under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence.  

This decision follows a proposal presented by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake in his capacity as Minister of Defence, taking into account the Navy’s experience and expertise in maritime security.  

The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) declared the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Somali Sea as high-risk zones in 2010 due to increased pirate activity targeting merchant vessels in those regions.

In response, many commercial ships began employing armed maritime guards provided by foreign private security companies.  

Although the IMO removed the high-risk designation effective January 1, 2023, commercial vessels continue to use the services of armed guards from foreign firms.  

Sri Lanka’s ports in Galle and Colombo have been the primary hubs for the embarkation and disembarkation of these maritime guards. Similar operations are also occasionally conducted at Hambantota and Trincomalee ports.  

Given the Sri Lanka Navy’s critical role in ensuring national maritime security and its operational experience, the government has now authorised it to carry out these security operations directly.