Colombo, June 29 (newsin.asia): In continuation of India’s defense cooperation with Sri Lanka the Government of India has gifted Sri Lanka, 650 machinery parts worth LKR 120 million to augment the maintenance capability of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship Suraksha.
Suraksha had been presented to Sri Lanka by the Government of India in October 2017.
The event was indicative of the growing cooperation, camaraderie and friendship between the two nations and their forces including the Coast Guards.
The final consignment of machinery parts was formally presented to the Director General, SLCG, Rear Admiral Gewman Ekanayake by Vinod Jacob, the Deputy High Commissioner of India, at a function organized on June 29 at the SLCG Base Waruna.
The spares would ensure prolonged utility of the SLCGS Suraksha, which is the only Offshore Patrol Vessel of Sri Lanka Coast Guard and the mainstay of patrolling and surveillance undertaken by SLCG at sea.
The spares will facilitate expeditious repairs, improved sea going capability and lengthen the life of the ship.
It may be recalled, that during the recently conducted High Level Meeting (HLM) on 22 June 2021 between the Indian Coast Guard and the Sri Lanka Coast Guard the assurance of India’s fullest cooperation in the field of maritime security and capacity building was reiterated.
This is in line with India’s Vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and the “Neighborhood First” policy; which further translates into capacity building initiatives with countries in the Indian Ocean Region including Sri Lanka.
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