Page 85 - MDSL Final

NEW DYNAMICS OF THE INDIAN OCEAN REGION
The traditional demarcations between geographical boundaries need to
be merged together in terms of security for a common ocean. Therefore,
there is no competition but only a need for collaboration and seamless
corporation for a quick response across the domains and boundaries,
hence a strong networking is a must. It is understood that no country is
capable of handling maritime security threats and challenges in isolation,
no matter how advance and developed it might be as the illegal actors
themselves are networked, technologically sound and exploits whatever
loopholes that exist to their advantage. The need is to focus globally
and engage in structural cooperative mechanisms in order to effectively
address the maritime security threats and challenges.

The vastness of the sea area of the IOR that SLN need to protect is huge.
Hence, the country alone cannot maintain continuous surveillence in
this vast sea area.

The global environment will continue to be marked by change, entailing
challenge and risk. The invaluable geographical location of Sri Lanka will
become an economic asset with a well-articulated foreign policy posture
crafted by the country. The emerging new dynamics of the Indian Ocean
will demand SLN to modernise its naval force in terms of shaping our
naval fleet, sensors and training in order to undertake various threats
by understanding ways and acquiring means to face the challenges in
future.

A Vigilant Sailor

To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea 67