JAPAN DELEGATION ON SLCG OIL SPILL RESPONSE CAPACITY BUILDING

Four members of delegations consisted with senior officials from Japan Coast Guard (JCG) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) visited Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) from 09th to 13th December 2019 to conduct preparatory survey and discussions on ‘Detail Design on Oil Spill Incident Management Training’ with SLCG in next 03 years.

The aim of this training is to improve capability of oil spill response strike teams and enhance the capacity to combat oil spill incidents up to Tier 1 in the open seas with utilizing its Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) of SLCG. The programme was arranged by the Government of Japan in strengthening the bi-lateral relations with the Government of Sri Lanka. The delegations paid a courtesy call on Rear Admiral Samantha Wimalathunge Director General – SLCG at CGRHQ, Wellawatte and briefed on mission’s aim and work plan of the 03 years schedule. At the end mementoes were exchanged to mark the occasion.

The programme was included visits to two Fast Patrol Vessels donated by Japan Government under JICA grant programme and their Oil Spill Response Management equipment onboard, SLCG main Oil Spill Response Management equipment stores at CGS ‘Dikovita’, Advance training center at Mirissa and Galle harbor.

The Japanese Coast Guard and Sri Lanka Coast Guard are maintaining close cooperation and good relationship between them and this programme will heighten the bond between two Coast Guards to further strengthen the maritime cooperation, information sharing, training and capacity building aspects.