By Yohan Perera AND Ajith Siriwardana

Parliament, Jan 09 (Daily Mirror) - The Sri Lankan Navy is already conducting surveillance on international seas, State Minister of Defence Pramitha Bandara Tennekoon told Parliament.

“We have already deployed the Sri Lankan Navy to carry out surveillance though we have not informed the nation about this decision,” the State Minister said in response to a question raised by Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa in Parliament.  

“One must be aware that Sri Lanka is already affected by the situation on the Red Sea. Ships have been forced to come past South Africa because of the threats posed by the Houthi terror group. Prices of imported essential items are going as a result,” the State Minister said.

“Also it is essential to carry out surveillance on the Indian Ocean as it has become a hot spot for illegal trafficking,” he added.

• Ships have been forced to come past South Africa because of the threats posed by the Houthi terror group