Training on entering a ship or craft

By Dilip Jayasekara   

Opening a new chapter in the defence activities in the Sri Lankan sea belt, a ship used in methods of training in seizing, entering and searching was declared open yesterday by US Ambassador in Sri Lanka Julie J. Chung at the Sri Lanka Coast Protection Department’s training centre in Kirinda.   
US Department of Export and Border Security (EXBS) had funded the project costing Rs. 116 million.   
A senior official of the Sri Lanka Navy said the programme implemented by EXBS is the largest training unit comprising several special features to train personnel in combatting sea pirates, contraband rackets, marine protection operations.   
Director General of the Coast Protection Department Rear Admiral Pujitha Vithana, Legal Adviser to ICITAP John Golgi, Regional Adviser of EXBS Sarah Anne Wales, Diana Scot Mervin, Chief Executive of Aitken Spence Janaka Gunawardene, and several senior officials of the Coast Protection Department and the Sri Lanka Navy were present at the occasion.