Representatives of four leading bodies associated with seafaring assignments and maritime services in Lankan seas, Ceylon Association of Shipping Agents (CASA), Colombo Logistics, Avant Garde and Rakna Lanka (Pvt) Ltd during a high level meeting co-chaired by Secretary to Ministry of Foreign Relations, Admiral (Retd) Prof Jayanath Colambage and Head of the National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID- 19 Outbreak, Chief of Defence Staff & Commander of the Army Lt. Gen. Shavendra Silva on Monday (17) explored possibilities of continued sustenance of their maritime services, such as ship crew changes, security for floating ships against pirates, etc adhering to best health practices.

Discussions pointed out that the Sri Lanka Navy while playing an exemplary operational role hand in hand with those maritime organizations enormously helped evacuation of hundreds of ship crew members at sea, some of who remained affected with COVID-19 while on board their commercial vessels. The importance of continuing such practices for commercial purposes was highlighted during the proceedings.

Due to the pandemic, the entire industry faced a huge setback and lost a fair share of their profits. Co-chairs attentively gave ear to their grievances and confronting issues and assured the government’s backing for the initiative. Similarly, co-chairs highlighted the significance of preparing a strategic mechanism through which common concerns of those sear farers could be addressed or resolved and their professions well-guaranteed.

The Navy during the height of the epidemic set a record as the first such service provider in the whole of the South Asian region rendering an exemplary service for crewmen at sea, and facilitated stranded ship crew members in sailing ships to sign off or re-join onboard in the seas off Colombo as directed by respective authorities.

The attendees submitted their views and operational proposals for further discussion, review and decision-making during the cordial meeting.

Maj. Gen. Harendra Ranasinghe, Director General Operations Sri Lanka Army, Rear Admiral Y.N Jayarathna, Director General Operations Sri Lanka Navy, Mr H.S Hettiarachchi, Head of Airport Manager, Dr Samitha Ginige, Consultant Epidemiologist, Dr Roshan Sampath and those representatives of shipping agencies, including Mr Ashan Welagedara, Mr Ralph Anandappa, Mr Shano Sabar, Mr Iqram Cutilian from CASA, Major (Retd) Nishshanka Senadhipathi, Chairman, Commander (Retd) Nandana Diyabalanage, Brigadier (Retd) Nishantha Wadugodapitiya, Maj. Gen. (Retd) Rasika Karunathilake of Avant Garde and Mr Eric Ambarangoda, Maj. Gen.(Retd) Chargi Gallage of Colombo Logistics were associated with the day’s arrangement at the Commander’s office.

Brigadier Haren Peris, Brigadier Hirosha Wanigasekara, Director Supply and Transport, Brigadier Wandhitha Mahinkanda, Director Real Estate and Quartering, Colonel Saveen Semage, Deputy Director, Directorate of Army Preventive Medicine and Mental Health Army Headquarters, Brigadier Vipula Chandrasiri, Brigadier Coordination National Operation Centre for Prevention of COVID – 19 Outbreak (NOCPCO) were also at the venue.