Page 204 - MDSL Final

MARITIME DOCTRINE OF SRI LANKA

During the latter part of the Humanitarian Operation, a
vessel propelled by four water jets that could carry 900
troops and 160 vehicles on two decks was dry leased
from a government owned company in Indonesia for
transfer of troops to the North from the East and vice
versa. With the modification of the two vehicle decks to
carry troops by the Engineers of SLN the ‘Jetliner’ was
converted to carry 3000 troops which became the aorta
to the northern theatre as it could relieve a large number
of troops on leave/duty in one day. The weekly movement
of this ship from Trincomalee to Kankaenthurei and back
was the most risky, arduous but successful logistics
operation carried out at that time with sound planning
and execution by using a significant number of ships/craft
in the Navy, whilst obtaining support of artillery from SLA
and air cover from SLAF for the safety of this sea convoy.

Function of Technical and Logistic Support - Centre of Gravity

While primarily a strategic and operational level concern, the
identification of both adversary and friendly centres’ of gravity is an
essential element of any plan. If the staff gets wrong, the operation will
at best be inefficient and at worst, end in failure.

Therefore, when taking most of the tangible critical requirements, they
fall into category of technical and logistics. Thus, technical and logistic
support mainly featured in the critical requirements to make operational
critical capabilities, which enable a centre of gravity to function.

Diving and Salvage Unit

The demand for diving and salvage in the maritime domain exists during
both peace and war time. Diving and Salvage unit was initially formed
in 1962 to carryout diving and salvage operations in SLN. Naval divers
are tasked to perform; underwater inspection, clearance, maintenance,
repair of naval vessels salvage work, underwater demolition, assistance

184 To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea