Lankan Navy to provide security to Straits of Malacca and Singapore

Colombo : The Sri Lankan Navy will initiate a broader maritime security program to provide safeguard in the region from Maldives to Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
Captain Akram Alavi said the program was initiated based on a proposal forwarded by Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe, reports Lanka page.The Navy will deploy several vessels to strengthen the security in the region to prevent illegal activities taking place through sea along the busiest straits used for international navigation.The Straits of Malacca and Singapore are the main seaway connecting the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea and together are the shortest route for tankers trading between the Middle East and far East Asian countries.Captain Alavi said three ships belonging to the Navy will undergo training in Maldives and Indonesia at present.SLNS Samudra has currently commenced the relevant training in Indonesia, he said.