SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETED THREE COURSES PERTAINING TO VISIT BOARD SEARCH & SEIZURE TRAINING ASPECTS AT TRINCOMALEE SOBER ISLAND FROM 04TH JULY TO 28TH JULY 2022

The Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP) of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) sponsored Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS) Instructor course, VBSS Boarding Team course and VBSS Advanced course were successfully completed by 23^rd July and 28^th July 2022.

The objectives of the above three training modules was to impart comprehensive knowledge on instructor techniques, conduct VBSS operations, Boarding team Procedures and Maritime Law Enforcement Operations (MLEO) in Territorial waters, Exclusive Economic Zone and High seas.

Two participants from SLCG and two participants from Philippine Coast Guard have successfully completed VBSS Instructor course and awarded with the certificates at the closing ceremony. Further, eight personnel each from Cambodian Marine Police, SLN and eight SLCG personnel were awarded with the certificates on completion of VBSS boarding team course on the same event on 23rd July 2022. Captain Nissanka Wickramasinghe, the Commanding Officer Special Boat Squadron (SBS) attended as the chief guest of the event and Chief instructor Mr Stuart Melville represented the GMCP – UNODC.

Subsequently, VBSS Advanced course was commenced on 25th July with eight personnel from Cambodian Marine Police, four personnel each from SLN and SLCG has been successfully completed on 28th July 2022. The certificate awarding ceremony was held and Commander Chinthaka Weerakkodi the Training Commander SBS grace the event as Chief Guest.

This was another accomplishment of collaborative efforts of GMCP- UNODC, SLCG and SLN with the assistance of SBS which ensures the continuing capacity building of the Law Enforcement Agencies in global maritime environment to prevent internationally organized maritime crimes globally. Further, SLCG and UNDOC were looking forward to conduct many collaborative regional capacity building trainings in the future.