Foreign Secretary Prof. Admiral Jayanath Colombage recently emphasized the importance in bringing together like-minded persons interested in Maritime Safety and Security (MSS) issues.
With the US led powers and China seeking to consolidate power in the Indian Ocean, Sri Lanka is under pressure from both parties to join them.
Foreign Secretary, Admiral Prof. Jayanath Colombage networking a meeting at the Lakshman Kadirgamar Institute taking forward Sri Lanka’s leadership role in the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) Working Group on Maritime Safety and Security (WGMSS), the Foreign Ministry said.
The following is the text of FM statement issued yesterday: “As the third largest ocean woven together by trade routes, The Indian Ocean commands control of major sea-lanes carrying half of the world’s container ships, one third of the world’s bulk cargo traffic and two third of the world’s oil shipments, the Indian Ocean remains an important lifeline to international trade and transport.