Study on National Strategy for Maritime Security unveiled
Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollagama has emphasised the paramount
need for Sri Lanka to adopt a national strategy for maritime security,
given her geo-strategic location in the Indian Ocean straddling the
vital sea route linking the Orient and the West.
He made this observation at a meeting held at the Foreign Ministry on
June 27, when a Concept Paper on “National Strategy for Maritime
Security of Sri Lanka” was presented to him.
The in-depth study and analysis on this subject was commissioned by
the Minister and conducted by a committee appointed by him under the
auspices of the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute for International
Relations and Strategic Studies (LKIIRSS).
Minister Bogollagama highlighted the increasing importance of
maritime security and maritime related activities, particularly to an
island nation such as Sri Lanka. He further stated that after addressing
the Shangri-La Summit in Singapore in June 2007 on regional maritime
security, he became convinced of the urgent need to conduct an in-depth
study on this subject.
The Foreign Minister said that Sri Lanka could play a crucial role in
this area, since a significant percentage of maritime traffic movement
takes place in the southern sea of the country. It is stated that almost
90 per cent of cargo and material are transported by sea in the world
and this clearly reflects the indispensable need to secure this vital
mode of transport.
Maritime security can significantly enhance commercial and economic
opportunities as well. The proposed off-shore oil and gas exploration
would be facilitated by having a maritime security plan in place.
Minister Bogollagama said that since satellite communication is a key
element in maritime security, Sri Lanka could benefit from such
facilities not only in this field but also in the spheres of economic
and commercial activity and education.
The concept paper on maritime security, which was the first such
comprehension study conducted in Sri Lanka, covered a wide range of
aspects of maritime security.
Having researched and identified the threats, objectives and the
strategic plan of action, the paper has suggested that Sri Lanka should
formulate a well defined national maritime security strategy for the
protection of marine resources from unlawful exploitation, prevention of
damage or harm to vital assets from acts of subversion, terrorism or
sabotage.
The Committee has proposed a number of plans including maritime
domain awareness, maritime intelligence integration, an integrated
maritime threat response, a regional and global co-ordinated strategy,
maritime infrastructure recovery, maritime transportation and commercial
security.
The paper has also proposed the establishment of an Inter-Ministerial
Council at national level and a National Maritime Co-ordinating
Authority through the enactment of legislation, where the Ministry of
Defence would play a leading role in conjunction with civilian agencies.
The establishment of a Net-Centric Communication Network linking the
various units, has also been suggested, which would facilitate real time
information, surveillance and reconnaissance.
The Foreign Minister said that today, terrorism which has become an
omnipresent threat, poses many challenges to nations in various forms,
including through the trade of illicit arms and narcotics as well as
human smuggling. He said that action would be taken shortly to present
the concept paper to President Mahinda Rajapaksa for consideration.
The Committee which undertook the study comprised Air Chief Marshal
Donald Perera, Chief of Defence Staff, C.A.N. Perera, Executive Director
of LKIIRSS, Brigadier (Retired) Vipul Boteju, Deputy Director of LKIIRSS,
Major General (Retired) Kamal Fernando, Communications Consultant, Rear
Admiral (Retired) Terence Sundaram, Maritime Affairs Advisor, SLPA, Rear
Admiral (Retired) D.K. Dassanayake and Dr. Hiran Jayewardene, Secretary
General Indian Ocean Marine Affairs Co-operation (IOMAC).
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