INDIAN COAST GUARD DONATES ESSENTIAL FIREFIGHTING EQUIPMENT TO SRI LANKA COAST GUARD

In a significant gesture of cooperation and goodwill, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) donated essential firefighting equipment to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard (SLCG) during the goodwill visit of Indian Naval Ship ‘Kuthar’ to Colombo, Sri Lanka, on 03^rd March 2025. This donation is a direct outcome of the High Level Meeting held between the SLCG and ICG in 11^th November 2024, reinforcing the strong maritime collaboration between the two nations.

A formal handingover ceremony was held onboard INS Kuthar, graced by Commodore Manoj Leelarathne, Deputy Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Commodore A Mukundan, Defence Adviser to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Commander Nitin Sharma, Commanding Officer of INS Kuthar, and senior officials from the Sri Lanka Coast Guard.

The donated firefighting equipment is intended for use onboard SLCG Ship Suraksha, enhancing its operational readiness and emergency response capabilities. Given the critical role of Suraksha in maritime safety and law enforcement, these advanced firefighting tools will significantly strengthen the vessel’s ability to manage onboard fire emergencies efficiently.

This initiative underscores the longstanding partnership between the Indian and Sri Lankan Coast Guards, reflecting their commitment to regional maritime security and mutual assistance. Such collaborative efforts continue to enhance interoperability and capacity-building, ensuring safer seas in the region.

The Sri Lanka Coast Guard expressed gratitude to the Indian Coast Guard for this valuable contribution, emphasizing that the strengthened cooperation between the two maritime forces will further enhance operational effectiveness in safeguarding the region’s waters.