Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2024-04-08 (Subject to Confirmation at the next Meeting)

Commencing a Ship in the Box Project in the Advanced Training Institute, Kirinda of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard

- The Department of Coast Guard of Sri Lanka has been established by the Department of Coast Guard Act, No.41 of 2009. The department is entrusted with the task of ensuring the security of the territorial waters and the high seas of Sri Lanka, preventing the entry and exit of illegal immigrants and emigrants, providing assistance to ensure maritime traffic safety, protecting the marine environment and preventing and combating maritime disasters. The said department in collaboration with various international organizations and global coast guard forces functions in a way that preserves the professionalism and legality of such duties. Accordingly, the United States of America has expressed its willingness to provide a Ship in the Box Project under the Department of State Export and Border Security of the the United States as a total grant of USD 355,575 (inclusive of all taxes) in order to train Sri Lanka Coast Guards. The proposal made by the Hon. President in his capacity as the Minister of Defence to establish and implement the said project within the Advanced Training Institute, Kirinda, was approved by the Cabinet.