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NAVSTRAT-2030 NAVSTRAT-2030

● Capacities. In order to meet the reduction of cadre, the selected number of planning and designing of naval architecture in SLN to face the dynamic and never-
courses will be omitted from the training programmes which are not directly ending maritime challenges. These include the Masters/ PGDip programmes and
connected with naval training scope. Further, number of berths allocated and specific training courses at local and foreign universities and military training
frequency of the courses will be reduced accordingly under assessment of the future institutes for both officers and sailors.
requirements. A separate foreign training wing will be established step by step
under the Training Directorate to offer more opportunity to regional navies to Way Forward of Sri Lanka Coast Guard
undergo training in SLN, with the aim of strengthening bilateral/ multilateral
cooperation. Globally and regionally, naval forces are gradually ceding constabulary roles to Maritime Law
Enforcement Agencies (MLEAs), particularly Coast Guards. This shift is underscored by the
Mode of Conduct rationale for MLEAs notably Coast Guards to serve as peace officers, signalling a paradigm shift
in maritime security. The SLN played a unitary peacetime role in maritime resource protection,
Training and capacity building in SLN is planned and conducted at number of training maritime surveillance, and maritime law enforcement with the increasing challenges of
establishment within the navy and outside institutions. Such include both local and foreign maintaining a secure maritime environment.
institutions such as naval training academies, universities, colleges, institutes in public and private
nature. Major categories of professional training will be conducted as follows;  Forecasted Capacities of SLCG. The SLCG, while gaining operational and
training competence, faces challenges in fully assuming its suite of peacetime
● Strategic Level Training. The National Security and Strategic Studies Course constabulary roles. Capacity shortfalls, recruitment challenges and other
offered by NDC Colombo and the equivalent foreign training institutes will provide endogenous factors hinder the SLCG’s ability to independently perform its
training and capacity building for senior naval officers. This training aims to mandated duties. Recognizing SLCG’s multifaceted mandate, existing capabilities,
inculcate the knowledge and experience required in the decision-making process in trained human resources and operational competence, maritime stakeholders expect
planning naval operations and designing naval architecture at the strategic level to increasing assistance from the Coast Guard. Therefore, to address the national
achieve national interests. requirement, strengthening the Coast Guard is imperative by effectively taking over
significant sea assets and bases predominantly held by the Navy. Thus,
● Operational Level Training. Staff course offered by DSCSC, Sri Lanka and the NAVSTRAT-2030 has identified the need to handover specific naval bases along
equivalent foreign training establishment are designed to deliver the knowledge and with sea assets to enhance the SLCG’s capacity to fulfil its anticipated law
know-how for the middle level officers in planning operations at the operational enforcement responsibilities, encompassing the entire coastal perimeter of the
level in par with the decisions made by the strategic level. Further, specialization island.
courses offered for respective branches will provide the technical and specific
knowledge for the middle level officers to perform specific duties assigned to
individuals when performing role and task carried out during the respective  Coordination and Cooperation between SLN and SLCG. Effective
missions and operations undertake by SLN. In addition, Naval Fleet Training will collaboration between the SLN and SLCG is essential throughout to address
be designed under Naval Fleet Command to address the requirement of conducting dynamic maritime security challenges. While the SLCG assumes a key role in
joint/combined operations with local/ regional stakeholders. These training will include frontline maritime law enforcement in the longer run, the SLN continues to play a crucial
joint exercises, crew work up programmes and table top exercises in regional context. function in information sharing, joint or combined maritime patrols and other assistance
vital to mitigate complex maritime security threats. Therefore, the execution of a
● Tactical Level Training. Basic training and the subsequent higher basic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the SLN and SLCG is imperative to
training programmes will deliver the knowledge for junior officers to perform systematize the responsibilities and functions assumed by both entities.
duties at the tactical level. These training are undertaken at NMA and KDU, while
offering basic degree for the junior officers to be proficient in both military and  Budgetary Independence. Since, the SLCG assigned with separate budget head,
academic studies in naval and related technical disciplines. In addition, the artificer in the longer run it is appropriate to facilitate independent budgetary allocation for
training courses at Naval Institute of Technology (NIT), recruit training courses and the functioning of its assets. This proactive measure aims to prevent any overlap in
the follow-up training including advancement and specialization courses for the budget allocation with SLN. By adopting this approach, administrative
sailors are designed to perform in parallel to the tactical level necessity of the naval complexities could be mitigated and such a delineation of budgetary resources
force to perform its role and task efficiently and effectively. Further, training and ensures optimal utilization and collaboration in maritime security endeavours,
capacity building programmes with the coordination of government and non- enhancing overall operational efficiency.
government agencies will continue in the areas of maritime law enforcement,
marine environmental protection, marine disaster management and HADR.  Acquisition of Oceanographic Vessel. Availability of comprehensive
oceanographic data around Sri Lanka being an island nation with large sea area is
● Career Development/ Specific Training. Postgraduate Diploma programmes/ vital in maritime security perspective as well as marine environmental stewardship,
specific training courses are designed to provide specific career development exploring/exploitation of maritime resources and international cooperation.
training required to obtain technological know-how and innovative skills in Therefore, Sri Lanka acutely needs an oceanographic ship and equipment dedicated
respective disciplines. Such training will offer new dimensions in the future for oceanographic researches. Lack of such means have severely limited and

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