Special program to prevent human smuggling

Dinesh De Alwis

A special security program is to be launched to prevent human smuggling and other illegal activities with the help of India soon, Department of Sri Lanka Coast Guard ( SLCG) Director General Rear Admiral Daya Darmapriya said.

He was addressing a meeting with a high level delegation from the Indian Coast Guard headed by Inspector General V S R Moorthy at the SLCG Headquarters yesterday. The Director General further said that measures have been taken to strengthen search and rescue operation. In future the SLCG will assist the Sri Lanka Navy,Police Narcotic Bureau and the Sri Lanka Customs in conducting anti smuggling,anti immigration and illegal fishing operations.

The SLCG hopes to establish several bases around the country and acquire more officers and vessels to safeguard the territorial waters of Sri Lanka he said.

The delegation will also have discussions with the Commander of Navy and Fisheries Department officials.