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US supports Sri Lanka’s border and maritime security
13 May, 2020
The United States (US) says it supports Sri Lanka’s border and maritime security.
The US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Alaina B. Teplitz tweeted noting the impressive results by the Sri Lanka Navy to help secure Sri Lanka’s sovereignty and a free Indo=Pacific.
“We support Sri Lanka’s border and maritime security through ship donations, counter-narcotics, and bomb disposal training and equipment modernization,” she said.
In recent weeks, Sri Lanka?s Navy racked up some impressive victories against regional drug traffickers plying its waters.
On April 10, the crew of the SLNS Samudura (pictured above) helped seize nearly 300 kilos of heroin and 50 kilos of crystal methamphetamine valued at over $17 million.
Last month, the SLNS Samudura?s crew was also responsible for the largest seizure in the Sri Lankan Navy?s history of 400 kilos of heroin and 100 kilos of crystal methamphetamine valued at $33.5 million.
The SLNS Samudura was until 2004 the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter (USCGC) Courageous. The Department?s Bureau of Political-Military Affairs (PM) transferred the USCGC Courageous to Sri Lanka?s navy under the US Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program.
The US noted that in Sri Lanka and across the Indo-Pacific region, smart investments in security cooperation like this make the United States the global security partner of choice and help US allies and partners contribute more effectively toward a shared vision of a free and open Indo-Pacific for all nations. (Colombo Gazette)
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