APD | Navies from China, India, US to meet in Sri Lanka

By APD writer Easwaran

COLOMBO, Oct. 16 (APD) -- The navies from China, India and the US are to meet in Colombo next week at a conference organised by the Sri Lanka Navy, the Sri Lankan Navy said on Tuesday.

Sri Lanka Navy Chief of staff, Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva said that over 140 participants from 50 countries are scheduled to attend the conference.

He said that the conference will be used to discuss common issues pertinent to the navies around the world.

The countries which have confirmed their participation are China, the US, India, UK, Japan and the Maldives.

Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva said that the conference will give Sri Lanka an opportunity to share its views and experience on maritime security and also establish links with the navies from other countries.

He noted that some of the "big players" in the Indian Ocean need Sri Lanka's assistance to face maritime security threats and similarly Sri Lanka needs the assistance of other countries.

Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva said collaborating with other navies has helped Sri Lanka combat human smuggling, heroin smuggling and carry out rescue operations.

The Navy said that by collaborating with other countries it has already managed to block several attempts by Sri Lankan asylum seekers looking to travel by sea illegally and seek asylum in Australia or Reunion island.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)