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96 Sayurusara 2020 December
Introduction task force against the COVID-19, Sri Lanka armed
forces became an integral part of the fight against
Sri Lanka is an island nation located in the COVID-19.
the Indian Ocean. Over the years, it is well known
for sea trade. In the 21st century, Sri Lanka has Sri Lanka Navy actively participated in
become a focal point of the Indian Ocean. Due to many operations conducted against the COVID-19
the enhancement of the sea-borne trade with the pandemic. Further, several quarantine centers
economic globalization, 50% of the container traffic were run by SL Navy as a preventive measure to
and 70% of global oil trade is passing through the tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of
Indian Ocean. Accordingly, “New Silk route” has people were quarantined at those centers under
been created via the sea-lanes of Indian Ocean. the close supervision and capable medical teams
With such rapid changes of geo-political aspects and those centers were equipped with all the
in the Asia Pacific region, Sri Lanka has become a facilities such as Wi-Fi, TV, refrigerators and so on.
strategically important geo point with easy access In addition, special supervision and facilities were
to major powers such as an easy gateway to East provided for kids and pregnant mothers.
Asia, South Asia and South East Asia. Hence, Sri
Lanka is a potential focal point to shifting the major Impacts on SL Navy
powers from the West to the East. In addition, the
world’s busiest international shipping lanes are However, the pandemic caused significant
laid down in the Southern coast of Sri Lanka just 5 negative effects on SL Navy. The most conspicuous
nm from land. This geographical location provides case occurred during the pandemic was appearing
various opportunities to the Island and it makes a large cluster of COVID-19 positive patients within
Sri Lanka an Asian maritime hub. Considering Sri the Navy. As front liners, sailors were deployed to
Lanka as an Island nation and a global maritime hunt down a group of drug addicts at Suduwella
hub in the world, it is significant to address the area who had contacts with COVID-19 patients
influences of the global pandemic of COVID-19 to and were evading the quarantine. Unfortunately,
the maritime security in Sri Lanka. as a result of that, gradually thousands of naval
personnel became covid 19 patients and it was
Role of Sri Lanka Navy in the pandemic situation reported as the biggest cluster of COVID-19
infections in the island. Other than that, after
First, it is important to understand the identifying the first COVID-19 positive naval
magnitude of responsibility lies on Sri Lanka Navy person from Polonnaruwa area, who was attached
in such a pandemic situation. Disaster Management to Welisara navy camp, the camp was locked down
Centre (DMC) has recognized Sri Lanka Navy as the with immediate effect and about 4,000 naval
first responder for such pandemic under the CBRN personnel were being quarantined inside the
structure along with Sri Lanka Army, Air Force camp. Likewise, naval personnel were vulnerable
and Police. Further, with establishing presidential
Introduction task force against the COVID-19, Sri Lanka armed
forces became an integral part of the fight against
Sri Lanka is an island nation located in the COVID-19.
the Indian Ocean. Over the years, it is well known
for sea trade. In the 21st century, Sri Lanka has Sri Lanka Navy actively participated in
become a focal point of the Indian Ocean. Due to many operations conducted against the COVID-19
the enhancement of the sea-borne trade with the pandemic. Further, several quarantine centers
economic globalization, 50% of the container traffic were run by SL Navy as a preventive measure to
and 70% of global oil trade is passing through the tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. Thousands of
Indian Ocean. Accordingly, “New Silk route” has people were quarantined at those centers under
been created via the sea-lanes of Indian Ocean. the close supervision and capable medical teams
With such rapid changes of geo-political aspects and those centers were equipped with all the
in the Asia Pacific region, Sri Lanka has become a facilities such as Wi-Fi, TV, refrigerators and so on.
strategically important geo point with easy access In addition, special supervision and facilities were
to major powers such as an easy gateway to East provided for kids and pregnant mothers.
Asia, South Asia and South East Asia. Hence, Sri
Lanka is a potential focal point to shifting the major Impacts on SL Navy
powers from the West to the East. In addition, the
world’s busiest international shipping lanes are However, the pandemic caused significant
laid down in the Southern coast of Sri Lanka just 5 negative effects on SL Navy. The most conspicuous
nm from land. This geographical location provides case occurred during the pandemic was appearing
various opportunities to the Island and it makes a large cluster of COVID-19 positive patients within
Sri Lanka an Asian maritime hub. Considering Sri the Navy. As front liners, sailors were deployed to
Lanka as an Island nation and a global maritime hunt down a group of drug addicts at Suduwella
hub in the world, it is significant to address the area who had contacts with COVID-19 patients
influences of the global pandemic of COVID-19 to and were evading the quarantine. Unfortunately,
the maritime security in Sri Lanka. as a result of that, gradually thousands of naval
personnel became covid 19 patients and it was
Role of Sri Lanka Navy in the pandemic situation reported as the biggest cluster of COVID-19
infections in the island. Other than that, after
First, it is important to understand the identifying the first COVID-19 positive naval
magnitude of responsibility lies on Sri Lanka Navy person from Polonnaruwa area, who was attached
in such a pandemic situation. Disaster Management to Welisara navy camp, the camp was locked down
Centre (DMC) has recognized Sri Lanka Navy as the with immediate effect and about 4,000 naval
first responder for such pandemic under the CBRN personnel were being quarantined inside the
structure along with Sri Lanka Army, Air Force camp. Likewise, naval personnel were vulnerable
and Police. Further, with establishing presidential
