UNODC with Japanese funds provides Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat to SLN

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with the funding from the government of Japan, presented a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) to the Sri Lanka Navy. The Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Mizukoshi Hideaki handed over the RHIB to the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera at the Navy Headquarters on Friday (19).

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, which is committed to suppress trafficking of narcotics and other maritime crimes, continuously assists stakeholders who throw their weight behind such endeavours.

 The Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) is essential for the swift and safe approach and boarding of vessels during visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations. To enhance the Sri Lanka Navy’s capabilities in these operations, particularly carried out by the Navy’s Special Boat Squadron, the UNODC provided this RHIB to the Navy, with funds made possible by the government of Japan.Also present were Defence Attaché of the Embassy of Japan in Sri Lanka, Captain Yuki Yokohari, officials from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and a group of senior naval officers.