Dutch Marines use Sri Lanka as hub to fight piracy
January 31, 2013 03:05 pm
Dutch special forces are using Sri Lankan harbours to
provide security against pirates in the Indian Ocean, Xinhua news agency
reported.
“These marines were part of a Vessel Protection Detachment (VPD) team deployed
on the vessel originating from Suez in Egypt. The Dutch VPD team offered
protection on board against piracy attacks in the Indian Ocean,” the
Netherlands embassy said in a statement.
“Most of these attacks occur in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Somalia. Sri
Lanka is positioned at the boundary of the greatest risk area to ships.”
The first team of Dutch marines departed from Bandaranaike Colombo
International Airport on Thursday to return to the Netherlands after
disembarking from a Dutch vessel in Colombo harbour a day earlier.
Arrangements were made with the Sri Lankan government to use certain Sri Lankan
harbours for the on- and off-load of Dutch VPD teams.
Strict regulations and procedures are followed to act in accordance with Sri
Lankan law in respect to weapons and ammunition. (Bernama)
