Navy will prevent all threats in Lankan waters

Rafik JALALDEEN

The Navy will not allow any terrorist acts to be carried out at sea or infiltration by any terrorist organisation. The Navy will prevent all security threats emanating from out side to Sri Lanka’s coastal territory, new Navy Commander Vice Admiral Thisara Samaravsinghe said addressing his first media briefing yesterday

He said peace and freedom enjoyed by the nation was a result of the concrete decisions taken by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa to eradicate terrorism and the excellent leadership and combined operations carried out by the Commanders of the three forces.

He observed that the Navy was able to accomplish a vital task during the fight against terrorism and it was successfully achieved. “Sri Lanka is an Island and the LTTE threat was high in the sea. Therefore, the Navy had to monitor and protect the country from terrorist attacks round the clock.

The Navy had played a major role to defeat terrorism. It had its own strategies and tactics worked out to achieve the goals set by the Navy. The Navy produced skilled and competent sailors and officers to accomplish the task.

Vice Admiral Smarasinghe asserted that the task of the Navy will not cease after defeating terrorism. “We will not anchor our ships and boats in harbours and relax. We have many jobs to be achieved and for that we have lined up plans and a process”, he said.

The Navy will work on a 50 year future plan to develop maritime activities and develop human resources and maintaining ships. “We cannot afford to buy a ship for short time use, considering the economic crisis in the country. We will establish a committee to maintain the ships we have. We also work on a 50 year future plan to develop infrastructure, maritime activities and human resources”, he added.

He stressed that the Navy will not allow any terrorist activities to be carried out. “We will not allow any terrorist infiltration, as well as prevent any security threat coming from out side,” he added.

The Navy also planned to provide its contribution to develop the country’s economy in the field of fishing and agriculture and exploit the ocean resources. “Fishermen were prevented from going out to sea due to the LTTE threat and restrictions on them. The situation has changed after the eradication of terrorism and fishermen can now fish in the sea at any time. However, the Navy is planning to make certain arrangements to introduce a system and procedure. If not, terrorists can take advantage by the lifting of fishing restrictions”, the Navy Commander remarked.

Navy Commander Samarasinghe said that the Navy will have more responsibilities in the future with the expansion of the maritime border. “Our maritime border is 200 nautical miles and it will be expanded to 300nm. Oil and gas explorations are to take place in Sri Lankan waters. Therefore, the Navy will have much more responsibilities to handle”, he added.

He said the Navy will assume responsibilities and exploit the sea resources, The Naval troops and officers will be given high quality training.”They would be provided with the facilities and opportunities to develop their talents . The Neverland Navy Academy will play a key role in this process”, he added.

The Navy Commander also focused on the importance of establishing a maritime culture among the public and promoting sports among the Navy.

The Navy Commander said it was important to pay tribute to the sailors who sacrificed their lives or disabled in action . Welfare of the families of these personnel will receive the highest priority..

Speaking of future plans, Navy Commander Samarasinghe said that promotions for senior Navy officers will be considered based on skills and discipline. He said the welfare of the families of the war heroes will be looked into particularly education of children with emphasis on developing English language skills...