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Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre will imperil national security: SJB

24 Mar 2022

The Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) raised concerns over the proposed Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre, claiming that it will threaten Sri Lanka’s security. Speaking to the media on Tuesday (22), an SJB MP said that the Cabinet of Ministers had granted approval for the proposal to establish a Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre with a $ 6 million grant from the Indian Government. The proposal to this effect was submitted to the Cabinet by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa in his capacity as the Defence Minister.  He stated: “The proposal seeks to sign an agreement between India and Sri Lanka and also to sign an agreement between the Sri Lankan Government and Bharat Electronics Ltd., India.” According to him, the proposed Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre is to be set up inside the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) headquarters.  “A sub unit will be set up in Hambantota, and seven other units will be positioned across the country,“ he claimed. “India will also provide three Dornier maritime surveillance aircrafts to Sri Lanka, while the SLN is to receive a 4,000 metric tonnes (MT) floating barge from India.” He alleged that the person who promised to uphold security in Sri Lanka – President Rajapaksa – has already sold off the SLN to India. He claimed that this move can be considered as “insane”, as the Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centre will be funded by India with a unit in Hambantota, while the Hambantota Port is operated by the Chinese.


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