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Indo-SL Navies to increase border patrols

04 Oct 2021

BY Dinitha Rathnayake India and Sri Lanka reached a consensus on increasing border patrols and strengthening information exchange mechanisms between the two sides, in order to curb illegal activities at the 31st International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) meeting between the Navies of both the countries, held in a virtual setting recently. Held for the 31st time, the IMBL meeting focused on the exchange of views to overcome common challenges faced by both partners, while enhancing mutual understanding among the Navies as well as the Coast Guards of the two countries. The Sri Lanka Navy delegation for this year’s meeting was led by Northern Naval Area Commander Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera. The Indian Navy delegation was headed by Tamil Nadu and Puducherry Naval Area – Flag Officer Commanding Rear Admiral Puneet Chadha. Amongst the main points of discussion from the Indian side were measures to curb smuggling across Indian waters, preventing the entry of Sri Lankan fishermen into Indian waters, and actions to be taken to educate the Indian fishing community to prevent Indian fishing vessels from entering Sri Lankan waters. Meanwhile, the Sri Lankan delegation drew the meeting’s attention to measures to be taken by both parties to prevent Indian fishing vessels from entering Sri Lankan waters and the assaults on and the destruction of the fishing gear of local fishermen by Indian fishermen. Further, attention was also paid with regard to the steps to be taken to prevent the fishermen of both countries from using their fishing vessels for the smuggling of narcotics and contraband to Sri Lankan waters. The meeting was also attended by Naval Operations Director Commodore Nishantha Peiris, Sri Lanka Coast Guard Deputy Director General Commodore Janaka Nissanka, and a group of senior officers from the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard.


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