Press briefing of Cabinet Decision taken on 2017-01-17

Memoranda of Understanding between Sri Lanka and Ukraine and Denmark on the Recognition of Certificates issued to seafarers

- For a seafarer with a certificate of competency, to serve on ships registered in a foreign country, flying its flag has to obtain a similar certificate of recognition from the country concerned, in addition to his certificate of competency. For the issuance of such certificates of equal status, their should be a Convention or a Memorandum of Understanding between the relevant countries and Sri Lanka has already entered into such Agreements with 30 foreign countries. Entering into such Agreements, generate job opportunities for a large number of Sri Lankan Seafarers who have obtained the Certificates of Competency to serve in foreign vessels. The Governments of Ukraine and Denmark have expressed their willingness to enter into an Agreement with Sri Lanka relating to the issue of these certificates and therefore, the proposal made by Hon. Arjuna Ranatunga, the Minister of Ports and Shipping, to enter into Memoranda of Understanding between the Governments of Ukraine and Denmark relating to the recognition of the Oceanic Certificates of Competency, was approved by the Cabinet.