Sri Lanka’s cabinet of ministers has this week approved a proposal to resume providing maritime security services in the Red Sea, according to Minister and Cabinet Spokesperson, Nalinda Jayatissa.
“Considering the knowledge and experience of the Sri Lanka Navy in relation to maritime security operations, it has been deemed appropriate to grant approval to the Sri Lanka Navy to independently carry out maritime security operations,” Jayatissa told reporters.
The Cabinet Spokesperson shared that the Sri Lankan Navy previously provided this service, but it was later handed over to private contractors on the island.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) declared the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden, and the region around the Somali Sea as a high-risk zone in 2010 due to threats from pirates to international maritime traffic. Minister Jayatissa noted that merchant ships entering the high-risk zone obtain the services of armed maritime guards from foreign private maritime security companies.
The IMO removed the high-risk designation in 2013, but commercial ships continue to obtain services from private maritime security companies. These maritime guards use the ports of Galle and Colombo to embark on ships entering the Red Sea and to disembark from departing ships, Jayatissa told reporters.
The announcement comes amidst increasing encroachment by the Sri Lankan navy across the Tamil homeland. Recently, Tamil residents in Suthanthirapuram raised alarm after navy personnel began surveying Tamil-owned land without prior notice to local authorities or property owners. Navy personnel were observed conducting surveys across several properties, including fishing grounds and privately owned lands that have been long held by Tamil families.
The Sri Lankan Navy has also been accused of human rights violations beyond the island. A few weeks ago, Tamil Nadu fishermen from Rameshwaram accused the Sri Lankan Navy of assaulting and chasing them. The fishermen claimed that Sri Lankan naval personnel crossed into disputed waters between Katchatheevu and Dhanushkodi, assaulted several crew members, and forced many vessels to return prematurely, in addition to causing significant damage to their boats and gear.
This incident occurred amidst long-standing tensions over fishing rights and maritime boundaries in the Palk Strait. Indian fishermen, particularly from Tamil Nadu, have routinely accused Sri Lankan security forces of harassment, arrests and even fatal shootings.
