Cabinet Approves Navy-Led Maritime Security Operations
The Cabinet of Sri Lanka has approved a proposal to allow the Sri Lanka Navy to independently conduct maritime security operations in key international shipping lanes, including areas around the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and the Somali Sea, in a move aimed at strengthening Sri Lanka’s role in regional maritime security.
The decision comes in light of continued pirate threats in these waters, despite the International Maritime Organization (IMO) officially lifting the High-Risk Area (HRA) designation as of January 1, 2023.
As the Sri Lanka Navy has been entrusted with full responsibility for national security in carrying out the operational activities of the project and considering the Navy’s extensive knowledge and experience in maritime security it has been considered appropriate to grant approval for the Navy to independently carry out these operations.
Accordingly, the proposal made by the President authorized the Sri Lanka Navy to conduct maritime security operations under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence has been approved by the Cabinet.
