SLCG turns 12
March 04, 2022Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) proudly celebrates its 12th anniversary today (Mar 04).
The SLCG was established under the Coast Guard Act No. 41 of 2009 as a multi-mission “Maritime Law Enforcement Entity” that comes under the purview of the Ministry of Defence, to ensure Safety, Security and the Serenity of the Coastal areas, Maritime Zones and Territorial waters of Sri Lanka.
The concept of the Coast Guard was introduced in the year 1998 and the operational activities of the Coast Guard were ceremonially inaugurated on March 04, 2010 in Galle Harbour. Today, the SLCG steams ahead under the able leadership of the Director General, Rear Admiral Anura Ekanayake as the 6th Director General of the Department.
Meanwhile, the SLCG has been entrusted with the tasks to deter Drug Trafficking, Human Smuggling, IUU fishing, Arms Smuggling and all other forms of non-traditional maritime threats as the prime Maritime Law Enforcement Agency in Sri Lanka.
The SLCG is also acting as the first responder of the National Oil Spill Contingency plan (NOSCOP) with maritime mobility and a wealth of trained personnel to respond to oil spill incidents in Sri Lankan waters.
Moreover, the SLCG Lifesaving Training School at Balapitiya conducts international-level lifesaving training courses to ensure the safety of local and foreign tourists at risk of drowning.
The Coast Guard Turtle Conservation Project (CGTCP) was launched in September 2012 with the purpose of preserving the turtles, eggs and raising the awareness of sea turtle conservation in Sri Lanka as a part of the duties and functions of the SLCG to assist in the conservation of marine species.
The Sri Lanka Coast Guard had the opportunity to participate in the 74th Independence Day Parade in 2022 for the first time in its history as an appreciation of its invaluable service to the nation.
At present, SLCG is in the process of charting its course to the future having the right understanding of the country’s vision into the strategic way forward, broadening role and tasks in the areas of prevention of unlawful acts at sea, Search & Rescue, marine environment protection and the capacity building.
As part of the religious segment of the 12th anniversary celebrations, the ‘Atawisi Buddha Puja’ was held at the Kotikagoda Rajamaha Viharaya in Walgama and blessings were invoked on the Coast Guard personnel including the Director General, both serving and retired as well as their family members.
Islamic religious rituals were held at Masjid Al Maqbool Memon Hanafi Mosque, Wellawatte. In addition, the Christian Thanksgiving & Commemoration Service will be held at the Dockyard Chappel in Trincomalee on March 06, 2022 and Hindu Puja at Munayanwalaw Murugan Kovil, Myliddy on March 13, 2022.
