The 11th Trinco Dialogue, a professional forum on maritime security and operational readiness, was held at the Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda Auditorium of the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA) in Trincomalee. Rear Admiral Buddhika Liyanagamage, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy and Commander Eastern Naval Area, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

The conference, organised by the Junior Naval Staff Course, was themed ‘Enhancing Maritime Operational Readiness Through Energy Efficiency: Addressing Contemporary Strategic Challenges’.

A key focus of the symposium was the need to strengthen the resilience and endurance of maritime forces operating in the Indian Ocean, where sustained operational capability is increasingly vital amid evolving strategic challenges. Discussions underscored that maintaining maritime readiness over prolonged periods requires forces to be resilient, adaptable and capable of sustaining operations efficiently across demanding operational environments, the Sri Lanka Navy said in a statement.

The keynote address was delivered by Commodore Priyankara Dissanayake, Commodore Superintend Dockyard (East), followed by a series of paper presentations. Senior officers from the Sri Lanka Navy and sister services, maritime academics and trainee officers engaged in professional discussions on contemporary maritime security and operational challenges.

The conference also highlighted energy efficiency as an important enabler of operational resilience and endurance. Participants emphasised that achieving greater energy efficiency requires an integrated approach encompassing technology, doctrine, training, operational planning and logistics. Such an approach would contribute to enhancing the ability of maritime forces to sustain operations, optimise resources and remain operationally effective in the Indian Ocean, the Navy noted.

The forum brought together senior officers representing Navy Headquarters and the Eastern Naval Command, officers from the Sri Lanka Army and Sri Lanka Air Force, maritime academics and officer under trainees of the Naval and Maritime Academy, providing a platform for professional exchange on issues shaping future maritime operational readiness.