REFUGEE

Dec 10, Colombo: Sri Lanka Navy plays a crucial role in the ongoing development process and despite the fact that the war has ended, the Navy has an immense work load ahead, the Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe said.

Addressing the media briefing held at the Media Center for national Security today to commemorate the 59th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy that fell on yesterday, the Commander said the Navy offers the first point of security for the country, being an island and it has to guard both the High seas as well as the coastline of the countryCommander Samarasinghe stressing the importance of preventing the vanquished terrorist outfit from rising again said that the Navy is striving to completely eradicate the illegal arms and human smuggling trade in the country.

There will be marshalling points along the coastline of Sri Lanka to monitor and prevent any illegal activities taking place on the beaches. The Navy will initiate a mechanism to ensure that no ship, boat or vessel of any kind to leave or enter any point of the island without the knowledge of the Sri Lanka Navy, the Commander said.

He said the Navy plans to expand both in manpower and infrastructure. It has already ordered six more Fast Attack Craft from Israel which are due to be delivered in January.

Addressing the Indian fishermen issue Commander Samarasinghe said the Navy is bound to aid the fisherman at all times. A proper management process is need to curb the illegal fishing in the Sri Lankan waters although the Navy has good bilateral relationship with the Indian authorities.

"It is a complicated issue despite all the friendship between the two countries which prevail," Vice Admiral Samarasinghe said.