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Sayurusara 2020 December 97
to the virus and also most of human resources boarder issues of illegal and irregular fishing by
were confined to respective naval bases along with foreign boats were noticeably increased. It created
physical resources. an unfavourable situation towards the maritime
security and the local fisheries industry as well.
As a resultofthat,SriLankannavalboarders Furthermore, many naval trainings and exercises
became more vulnerable to severe threats such as had been cancelled or postponed due to the
unlawful trespass of maritime boundaries, drug pandemic. Some of them were joint operations with
trafficking, human trafficking, etc. For instance, other countries and some of them were trainings
drug dealers from other countries such as India and operations launched by Sri Lanka Navy itself.
and Pakistan attempted to illegally trespass the All those cancellations and postponements caused
naval boarders of Sri Lanka to transport and trade negative effects since it reduced the chances to
illicit drugs to the island. There are prima facie enhance the military power and capabilities of the
evidences that drug trafficking highly increased SL Navy.
in the north western coast of Sri Lanka during
the pandemic period, mainly between the drug Conclusion and recommendations
smugglers in India and Sri Lanka. According to the
intelligence, Sri Lanka was not the final destination Accordingly, there were numerous severe impacts
this international drug trafficking. It seems that occurred towards the maritime security of Sri
Sri Lanka was a growing hub for international Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic. However,
drug smuggling. Basically this happened due to SL Navy was able to successfully handle all the
the strategic location of the country. For example, matters in advance. Furthermore, the pandemic
very recently offshore patrol vessel SLNS Sayura was not over yet. In such situation several
seized a vessel loaded with a large consignment measures can be taken by SL Navy to overcome
of drugs in high seas about 548 nautical miles off such maritime challenges and to improve the
Sri Lankan shores, while engaging in international feasibility of the SL Navy.
drug trading. Accordingly, drug dealers tried to Such measures can be recommended as follows.
take their chances during the pandemic situation
and yet Sri Lankan maritime boarders became a. Developing modern training programmes
more exposed for drug trafficking mainly because by SL Navy to battle such biological
of lack of naval resources. threats.
b. Creating a special unit especially to meet
Apart from that human trafficking was a serious with such biological disasters and strengthen
issue for maritime security in Sri Lanka during the them with necessary trainings and equipment.
pandemic. There were incidents that Sri Lankans c. Enhancing maritime surveillance on Sri
tried to cross the maritime boarders illegally to Lankan waters and coastal belt including major
enter into another countries such as Australia, harbours to prevent or mitigate the drug and
Italy, etc. Moreover, during the pandemic, it human trafficking.
happened vice versa. For example, India became d. Launching joint patrols with other
more vulnerable to the sickness and also they regional navies in International Maritime
totally lockdown the country for long period of Boundary Line to prevent illegal trespassing of
time. Therefore, Indians became more exposed to the maritime boarders.
sickness and their livelihood became more fragile e. Strengthening the naval vessels with more
since most of them lost their income sources resources to identify and deal with the illegal
completely or partially. Meanwhile Sri Lanka trespassers.
was considered as rather a safe country against f. Engaging in naval exercise with other
the sickness and household economy of self- navies to grab the new knowledge and strategies
employers as well. Therefore, Sri Lankan maritime and adhering to new technologies.
borders became considerably vulnerable for g. Increasing the opportunities for naval
unlawful encroachers. Also with the confinement personnel to engage with necessary training.
of naval resources at respective bases, the typical h. Organizing and participation in regional
maritime initiatives to enhance the regional
corporation among countries.
Lieutenant (E) AGS Silva
NRE 3391
SLNS Sagara
to the virus and also most of human resources boarder issues of illegal and irregular fishing by
were confined to respective naval bases along with foreign boats were noticeably increased. It created
physical resources. an unfavourable situation towards the maritime
security and the local fisheries industry as well.
As a resultofthat,SriLankannavalboarders Furthermore, many naval trainings and exercises
became more vulnerable to severe threats such as had been cancelled or postponed due to the
unlawful trespass of maritime boundaries, drug pandemic. Some of them were joint operations with
trafficking, human trafficking, etc. For instance, other countries and some of them were trainings
drug dealers from other countries such as India and operations launched by Sri Lanka Navy itself.
and Pakistan attempted to illegally trespass the All those cancellations and postponements caused
naval boarders of Sri Lanka to transport and trade negative effects since it reduced the chances to
illicit drugs to the island. There are prima facie enhance the military power and capabilities of the
evidences that drug trafficking highly increased SL Navy.
in the north western coast of Sri Lanka during
the pandemic period, mainly between the drug Conclusion and recommendations
smugglers in India and Sri Lanka. According to the
intelligence, Sri Lanka was not the final destination Accordingly, there were numerous severe impacts
this international drug trafficking. It seems that occurred towards the maritime security of Sri
Sri Lanka was a growing hub for international Lanka during the COVID-19 pandemic. However,
drug smuggling. Basically this happened due to SL Navy was able to successfully handle all the
the strategic location of the country. For example, matters in advance. Furthermore, the pandemic
very recently offshore patrol vessel SLNS Sayura was not over yet. In such situation several
seized a vessel loaded with a large consignment measures can be taken by SL Navy to overcome
of drugs in high seas about 548 nautical miles off such maritime challenges and to improve the
Sri Lankan shores, while engaging in international feasibility of the SL Navy.
drug trading. Accordingly, drug dealers tried to Such measures can be recommended as follows.
take their chances during the pandemic situation
and yet Sri Lankan maritime boarders became a. Developing modern training programmes
more exposed for drug trafficking mainly because by SL Navy to battle such biological
of lack of naval resources. threats.
b. Creating a special unit especially to meet
Apart from that human trafficking was a serious with such biological disasters and strengthen
issue for maritime security in Sri Lanka during the them with necessary trainings and equipment.
pandemic. There were incidents that Sri Lankans c. Enhancing maritime surveillance on Sri
tried to cross the maritime boarders illegally to Lankan waters and coastal belt including major
enter into another countries such as Australia, harbours to prevent or mitigate the drug and
Italy, etc. Moreover, during the pandemic, it human trafficking.
happened vice versa. For example, India became d. Launching joint patrols with other
more vulnerable to the sickness and also they regional navies in International Maritime
totally lockdown the country for long period of Boundary Line to prevent illegal trespassing of
time. Therefore, Indians became more exposed to the maritime boarders.
sickness and their livelihood became more fragile e. Strengthening the naval vessels with more
since most of them lost their income sources resources to identify and deal with the illegal
completely or partially. Meanwhile Sri Lanka trespassers.
was considered as rather a safe country against f. Engaging in naval exercise with other
the sickness and household economy of self- navies to grab the new knowledge and strategies
employers as well. Therefore, Sri Lankan maritime and adhering to new technologies.
borders became considerably vulnerable for g. Increasing the opportunities for naval
unlawful encroachers. Also with the confinement personnel to engage with necessary training.
of naval resources at respective bases, the typical h. Organizing and participation in regional
maritime initiatives to enhance the regional
corporation among countries.
Lieutenant (E) AGS Silva
NRE 3391
SLNS Sagara
