Navy Commander attends RAN Sea Power Conference 2019

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva attended the Sea Power Conference 2019 organised by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the 6th Meeting of Sri Lankaaustralia Joint Working Group on People Smuggling.

The Sea Power Conference 2019 was held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney Australia from October 8 to 10. Meanwhile, the 6th Meeting of Sri Lanka-australia Joint Working Group on people smuggling was held in Canberra on October 11.

This conference was held with the participation over 80 defence chiefs and 21 agencies interested in defence activities. The theme of this year’s conference was ‘The IndoPacific Maritime Domain in the 21st Century - The Spectrum of Influence’. Further it discussed a wide range of issues pertaining to the Indian Ocean Region which the Sri Lanka Navy is also responsible for. Meanwhile, the Commander of the Navy held discussions with his foreign counterparts on matters of bilateral importance as well. The Navy Chief also attended the Pacific 2019 – International Maritime Exposition held on the sidelines of the conference.

During the 6th Meeting of the Sri Lanka-australia Joint Working Group on people smuggling held in Canberra, Australia, deliberations were conducted focusing on illegal migration, drug smuggling and related issues which have turned out to be challenges in the maritime domain. The discussion held annually between the two countries also paved the way to strengthen defence ties over the years.

Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Australia, Secretary of Defence, General Shantha Kottegoda (Retd) and a Sri Lanka delegation were also present on these occasions.