The Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) undertakes continuous surveillance, patrols, and inspection of fishing vessels to prevent Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing activities. These operations are conducted in close coordination with relevant fisheries authorities to ensure compliance with national fisheries laws and international conservation and management measures.

To strengthen monitoring and enforcement, the SLCG has deployed 28 Fishing Monitoring Posts along the Sri Lankan coastline, covering 23 all major fisheries harbours and identified key fishing vessel launching and landing areas, particularly at anchorages, where systematic arrival and departure formalities are carried out. These procedures enable effective verification of fishing vessels, monitoring of fishing activities, and detection of illegal practices.

Through these proactive measures, the SLCG plays a vital role in preventing IUU fishing, contributing to the sustainable management of marine living resources and safeguarding the livelihoods of lawful fishing communities.

The Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) plays a pivotal role in detecting, deterring, and suppressing maritime trafficking of contraband goods, narcotics, and human smuggling within Sri Lanka’s maritime zones. These operations are conducted through intelligence-driven surveillance, targeted patrols, systematic vessel boardings, and coordinated joint operations with national law enforcement, intelligence agencies, and other relevant stakeholders.

A key enabler of these efforts is the Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) system, which is operated at the Coast Guard Headquarters (CGHQ) and across four regional commands. The MDA system integrates data from multiple sources to provide real-time maritime situational awareness, enabling early detection of suspicious activities and facilitating rapid, well coordinated operational responses.

In addition, the SLCG maintains strong communication and close cooperation with fishing communities, recognizing them as essential partners in maritime security. Fishing communities are encouraged to report suspicious vessels and activities, providing valuable grassroots level intelligence. To ensure timely reporting and immediate response, the SLCG operates a 24 x 7 “106” Maritime Crime Hotline, which serves as a critical mechanism for reporting maritime crimes, smuggling activities, and safety related incidents.

In parallel with operational measures, the SLCG continues to advance and formalize Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with a number of regional partners to strengthen cooperation in maritime law enforcement and security. These MoUs facilitate information and intelligence sharing, joint patrols, coordinated operations, training, and capacity building initiatives, enhancing collective capabilities to combat transnational maritime crimes.

In accordance with its mandate under the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Act, the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) provides comprehensive assistance to other government agencies in the enforcement of laws and regulations relating to customs, immigration, fisheries management, environmental protection, and maritime safety. This assistance is delivered through joint maritime operations, coordinated patrols, vessel boardings, escort and security duties, and the deployment of specialized assets and personnel, thereby strengthening whole-of-government maritime governance.

Beyond direct operational support, the SLCG also acts in an advisory capacity, providing professional advice and technical input for maritime related planning, policy formulation, and contingency preparedness. Drawing on its operational experience and maritime domain expertise, the SLCG supports national agencies in the development of response plans, risk assessments, and coordinated maritime strategies.

In the area of marine environmental protection, the SLCG serves as a designated first responder to oil spill and marine pollution incidents, working in close coordination with the Marine Environment Protection Authority (MEPA). Upon the occurrence of such incidents, the SLCG undertakes immediate response actions including incident assessment, containment, initial mitigation measures, and on scene coordination, while providing operational support to MEPA led response efforts. The SLCG’s rapid response capability is critical in minimizing environmental damage and safeguarding coastal and marine ecosystems.

Through its combined roles as an enforcement partner, operational responder, and maritime advisory authority, the SLCG ensures effective inter-agency coordination, enhances national preparedness for maritime incidents, and contributes significantly to the safe, secure, and sustainable use of Sri Lanka’s maritime domain.

Maritime law enforcement by the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) is significantly strengthened through close coordination and sustained cooperation with a wide range of national, regional, and international stakeholders. This collaborative approach encompasses integrated maritime operations, real time information sharing, joint training exercises, and capacity building initiatives, ensuring an effective, timely, and coordinated response to evolving maritime threats and challenges. These partnerships play a vital role in enhancing Sri Lanka’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and overall maritime security architecture.

At the regional level, the SLCG maintains strong operational and institutional relationships with neighboring and regional maritime agencies, including the Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Pakistan Maritime Security Agency (PMSA), and the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). These partnerships facilitate information exchange, coordinated patrols, search and rescue cooperation, pollution response coordination, and joint capacity development, particularly in addressing transnational crimes such as smuggling, narcotics trafficking, and irregular maritime migration.

Beyond the immediate region, the SLCG actively cooperates with extra regional partners such as the Australian Border Force (ABF), which supports maritime law enforcement cooperation, operational coordination, and capacity enhancement in countering people smuggling and other maritime crimes. The SLCG also benefits from strong collaboration with the Government of Japan, including support provided through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and Japan International Cooperation System (JICS), which has contributed to infrastructure development, provision of patrol vessels and equipment, technical assistance, and specialized training, thereby strengthening SLCG’s operational readiness and technological capabilities.

In addition, the SLCG has established and continues to expand partnerships with numerous foreign coast guards and maritime law enforcement agencies, fostering interoperability, professional exchanges, and best practice sharing. These partnerships are further reinforced through engagement in European Union funded projects, notably CRIMARIO, which supports regional maritime information sharing, MDA enhancement, and coordinated responses to maritime security threats across the Indian Ocean region.

The SLCG also works closely with the United States Government on capacity building initiatives, including training programs, operational support, and technical assistance aimed at strengthening maritime law enforcement, interdiction capabilities, and institutional development. Furthermore, cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) plays a critical role in enhancing legal frameworks, investigative capacity, and operational effectiveness in combating transnational organized crime, drug trafficking, and maritime smuggling networks.

Through these extensive regional and international partnerships, the SLCG reinforces a multilateral and cooperative approach to maritime security, enhances national and regional resilience against maritime threats, and contributes to a stable, secure, and rules based maritime order in the Indian Ocean region.