SL needs more naval assets: Gota

25 November 2013 06:33 am Views - 3977

Defence Secretary Gotabaya Rajapaksa today said that Sri Lanka must obtain naval assets that can operate further away from shore, for surveillance operations and to carry out patrolling in blue waters and it already sought for the procurement of such assets from wealthier nations.

“The support of wealthier nations is sought for the procurement of such assets. In this context, I am particularly appreciative of the Australian Government’s decision to gift two large Bay Class patrol vessels to Sri Lanka next year. Such capacity augmentation will enable the Sri Lanka Navy, which is the best-suited force for this task, to combat illegal trafficking and contribute more to the stability and security of the Indian Ocean,” he said addressing the Galle Dialogue -2013, now being held in Galle.