“UNODC Joint Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) Training” Award Ceremony
2018/11/24
Ambassador's Speech
Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva, Chief of Staff, Sri Lankan Navy
Mr. Alan Cole, Head of Global Maritime Crime Programme of UNODC
Distinguished Heads of Delegation and Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning and Ayubowan
It gives me a great pleasure to be here with you this morning to commemorate the completion of VBSS Training Program conducted by UNODC. On behalf of the Government of Japan, I wish to express my heartfelt congratulations to all the participants present here for successfully completing the course, while expressing our great privilege of being a humble partner of UNODC’s program in addressing the Global Maritime Crime.
Taking this opportunity, I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to UNODC for providing me this special occasion to visit Trincomalee, which happened to be my first trip outside the capital since my arrival in Sri Lanka one and a half months ago. Rich in historical significance and high in tourism potentiality, I believe that Trincomalee showcases both the past and the future of this island nation, bringing me new insight into Sri Lanka located at the heart of the Indian Ocean.
It is of great relevance that this training program was conducted in Sri Lanka when the importance of freedom of navigation and the rule of law are being commonly recognized as the bedrock of affluence and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific Region. Sri Lanka’s location at the pivot of the sea lane adds special significance in this context as it manifests the prominent role this country has been playing in upholding these values. Sri Lanka and Japan have been strengthening maritime cooperation to fight the growing threat against our vital interests in the Indian Ocean, under which various initiatives are being undertaken including the current program.
Whereas the effective measures to combat maritime security threats, such as abduction for ransom, piracy, terrorism, drug-and-human trafficking and illegal fishing, are being eagerly sought, this training program provides practical response to such emerging threats. I am particularly glad to see that the program, for the first time, was attended by the participants from Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines where the incidence of maritime crime in tri-border area, linked to militants and extremist groups, is on the rapid rise. Both national and coordinated efforts are essential in addressing such challenges, and common vision stretching beyond the border is required to carry out collective operation successfully. It is our sincere wish that this program has helped nurture such common vision among the participants and offered practical contribution to the reinforcement of “Sulu Sea Trilateral Initiative”, signed by the three countries, to respond to the evolving threats in the Sulu-Sulawesi and Celebes Seas.
With this note and my sincere appreciation to the officials of UNODC and the Government of Sri Lanka, in particular, the Sri Lankan Navy, as well as my heartfelt congratulations to all the participants once again, I wish to conclude my congratulatory remarks.
Thank you very much.
Mr. Alan Cole, Head of Global Maritime Crime Programme of UNODC
Distinguished Heads of Delegation and Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good morning and Ayubowan
It gives me a great pleasure to be here with you this morning to commemorate the completion of VBSS Training Program conducted by UNODC. On behalf of the Government of Japan, I wish to express my heartfelt congratulations to all the participants present here for successfully completing the course, while expressing our great privilege of being a humble partner of UNODC’s program in addressing the Global Maritime Crime.
Taking this opportunity, I would also like to extend my sincere appreciation to UNODC for providing me this special occasion to visit Trincomalee, which happened to be my first trip outside the capital since my arrival in Sri Lanka one and a half months ago. Rich in historical significance and high in tourism potentiality, I believe that Trincomalee showcases both the past and the future of this island nation, bringing me new insight into Sri Lanka located at the heart of the Indian Ocean.
It is of great relevance that this training program was conducted in Sri Lanka when the importance of freedom of navigation and the rule of law are being commonly recognized as the bedrock of affluence and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific Region. Sri Lanka’s location at the pivot of the sea lane adds special significance in this context as it manifests the prominent role this country has been playing in upholding these values. Sri Lanka and Japan have been strengthening maritime cooperation to fight the growing threat against our vital interests in the Indian Ocean, under which various initiatives are being undertaken including the current program.
Whereas the effective measures to combat maritime security threats, such as abduction for ransom, piracy, terrorism, drug-and-human trafficking and illegal fishing, are being eagerly sought, this training program provides practical response to such emerging threats. I am particularly glad to see that the program, for the first time, was attended by the participants from Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines where the incidence of maritime crime in tri-border area, linked to militants and extremist groups, is on the rapid rise. Both national and coordinated efforts are essential in addressing such challenges, and common vision stretching beyond the border is required to carry out collective operation successfully. It is our sincere wish that this program has helped nurture such common vision among the participants and offered practical contribution to the reinforcement of “Sulu Sea Trilateral Initiative”, signed by the three countries, to respond to the evolving threats in the Sulu-Sulawesi and Celebes Seas.
With this note and my sincere appreciation to the officials of UNODC and the Government of Sri Lanka, in particular, the Sri Lankan Navy, as well as my heartfelt congratulations to all the participants once again, I wish to conclude my congratulatory remarks.
Thank you very much.