(UDHAYAM, COLOMBO) – Having taken over the On Board Security Team (OBST) operations from Avant Garde Maritime Services Ltd, the Sri Lanka Navy was able to earn Rs. 2.26 billion for the Government from its operations in 2016.
Accordingly, during 2016, the Navy carried out 6,371 ship movements. Out of 6,371 ship movements, 5,928 and 443 movements were derived from the centres in Galle and Colombo.
Meanwhile, since the inception of OBST operations from November 13, 2015 until January 2, 2017, the Navy earned an income of Rs. 2.63 billion for 7,457 ship movements. Galle and Colombo operation centres have carried out 6,922 and 535 movements averaging approximately 573 moves per month.
The Galle and Colombo operation centres look after the receiving, holding and issuing of weapons, ammunition and other related equipment belonging to foreign as well as local OBST. The earnings generated through OBST operations are directly deposited in the Consolidated Fund of the Sri Lanka Government.
With the annulment of the previous agreement, the Sri Lanka Navy was entrusted the task of providing security to Merchant Vessels and supplying services to Security Firms involved in providing on board security for Merchant Ships. The Navy took over these duties following a special directive issued by President Maithripala Sirisena. Since taking over the duties, naval personnel were involved in providing services to merchant ships carrying mainly weapons and ammunition. Since taking over these tasks, the Navy ensured that the security requirements of the merchant vessels which are frequenting the High Risk Area (HRA) are provided services efficiently by the naval personnel at Galle and Colombo harbours.
