COLOMBO, Dec 1 (NNN-SLNEWS) – Sri Lanka, aiming to prevent maritime crime and drug trafficking in local waters, conveyed its intention to the UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), local media reports said.
In the talks held between Miwa Cato, director of operations in UNODC and Sri Lankan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dinesh Gunawardena, both sides discussed maritime crime prevention and drug trafficking in Sri Lankan waters.
A media release by Sri Lanka’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said, Sri Lanka appreciates UNODC assistance in strengthening the country’s maritime security capacity in the Indian Ocean.
Foreign Secretary, Ravinatha Aryasinha, stressed Sri Lanka’s need for comprehensive long-term support, including transfer of appropriate technologies, in order to build local capacity, to combat drug trafficking and other maritime crimes.
Earlier this week, Secretary of Defence, Kamal Gunaratne said, the new government would take strict measures to increase Navy patrols in Sri Lankan waters, and end the maritime drug route operating through the country’s territory.– NNN-SLNEWS