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)
