India to support Sri Lanka’s coast guard operations

The government of India has expressed its willingness to facilitate operations of Sri Lanka Coast Guard which is operated under the Ministry of Defence.

Deputy Director General (Operations & Coastal Security) of the Indian Coast Guard Force Inspector General V.S.R. Murthy pledged the support to Director General of Sri Lanka’s Coast Guard Department Rear Admiral (Retd) Daya Dharmapriya in a formal meeting took place at the Coast Guard Head Office yesterday (09 Nov).

A high level delegation from the Indian Coast Guard is visiting Sri Lanka headed by Inspector General V S R Murthy.

Expressing views on the discussion, Rear Admiral Daya Dharmapriya said their talks focused on improving mutual relations between the Indian and Sri Lanka Coast Guards and support they could give to Sri Lanka including training. Their talks also dealt on smuggling of drugs, illegal fishing, and illegal migrants.

The SLCG hopes to establish several bases around the country and acquire more officers and vessels to safeguard the territorial waters of Sri Lanka, he further said, The Defence Ministry said.