Page 31 - navstrat

NAVSTRAT-2030

CHAPTER 2

SRI LANKA COAST GUARD

Evolution of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard
The concept of having a Coast Guard was first introduced in 1998 with a long felt need to enforce
fishery laws at sea. Having been approved by the Cabinet of Ministers, the ‘Coast Guard’
commenced its activities in 2001 with six small vessels and 75 personnel under the Ministry of
Fisheries and Aquatic Resources. The basic training of Coast Guard personnel began at the Naval
base at Welisara, SLNS Gemunu while professional training took place at the Japanese Coast
Guard Training Centre in Tokyo. Six small vessels for the Coast Guard were launched at the
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fishery harbour in Beruwala. However, less than a year later, on 31 March 2002, a decision was
taken to abolish the Coast Guard transferring all the assets and personnel to the Coastal
Conservation Department.

The requirement of effective policing of the seas in the present context can be seen as an area
where everyone needs to pay close attention. The much needed constabulary nature involvement
is required in the present context where the dealings need to be carried out in accordance with laid
down laws and regulations of the country as well as internationally accepted guidelines especially
when it comes to maritime safety aspects. Naval and other maritime forces such as the Coast Guard
are playing an essential role in these enforcement efforts. However, persons involved in maritime
law enforcement should receive comprehensive training within the legal framework applicable to
the execution of their respective duties. Accountability measures should be in place to address
non-compliance with these regulations. Adherence to the rule of law enshrined in the existing
maritime legal framework ensures that maritime law enforcement forces are equipped with the
necessary international legal tools to effectively fulfil their mission. This approach allows for
legitimate uses of the sea to proceed with a minimal amount of unwarranted interference,
prioritizing the safety of life and property.
Therefore, having identified the excessive commitments and inadequate legal mandate in law
enforcement of the SLN and the lack of capacity of Sri Lanka Police to enforce laws at sea, it had
been decided to form a separate, empowered maritime law enforcement force. Accordingly, the
SLCG was established to policing the waters around the island over the Indian Ocean. Meanwhile,
there is a huge demand for non-military organizations to take the lead role in both regulating and
close monitoring of developments in the maritime domain with assistance from the SLN and other
key stakeholders who are involved in protecting maritime security. In this context, SLCG is of
great assistance in the protection of maritime security concerns. The cabinet paper was presented
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on 03 April 2008 to establish the Department of Sri Lanka Coast Guard. The Department of Coast
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Guard Act No 41 of 2009 was passed by the parliament on 09 July 2009 and the Department of
Sri Lanka Coast Guard was formed. The operational activities of the SLCG were officially
inaugurated on 04th March 2010 in Galle. The SLCG is entrusted to deal with a broad spectrum
of tasks such as maritime security, maritime safety and marine environment protection through the
enforcement of laws applicable to all maritime zones of Sri Lanka as described in the Maritime
Zones Law, No 22 of 1976 and UNCLOS 1982. Every officer of the SLCG shall be deemed to be
a ‘Peace Officer’ within the meaning for the purposes of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act No.
15 of 1979. The Coast Guard consists entirely of Navy personnel, whose tenure is generally two
years. An officer or sailor deputed to the SLCG from the SLN remains subject to the provisions of
the Navy Act and requisite legal measures are instituted against them in the event of a violation of
disciplinary protocols as outlined within the aforementioned provisions.

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