Sri Lanka to lead campaign against sea pirates: Bogollagama
By Anjana Jayashan in Colombo
Colombo, 05 March (Asiantribune.com):
Sri Lanka which has defeated terrorism on the Sri Lankan soil, is now getting ready to lead a campaign against the sea pirates at the regional level and later it will take to worldwide, pledged by Foreign Affairs Minister Rohitha Bogollagama speaking to the Asian Tribune.
The Minister said that his Ministry took all the diplomatic measurers to get release the three Sri Lankans who were on board of the Panama-flagged but UAE owned Ro-Ro cargo ship.
The Sri Lankans including the captain of a cargo ship were held by Somali authorities at a Port in Berbera since September 2009. The roll-on-roll-off vessel MV Leila consists of 14 seafarers, of whom seven are from India, three from Sri Lanka, two from Pakistan and another two from Somalia.
Minister Bogollagama said that diplomatic missions of India, Sri Lanka and Pakistan have also been involved in getting the release of their citizens and arrangements have already been made for their safe return.
As the captain of the ship being a Sri Lankan, he has to officially hand over the ship officially to a new captain, according to the international rules and regulations. “That is the only delay and they will be in Sri Lanka soon”, the Foreign Affairs Minister added.
Meanwhile, another ship, the 'Al Nisar Al Saudi' was also hijacked in the Gulf of Aden on Monday with 14-member crew including 13 Sri Lankans and one Greek. The tanker was on its way from Japan to Jeddah when it was hijacked.
Speaking over the incident, Minister Bogollagama said that Sri Lankan Consular General's office in Jeddah had already been instructed to hold discussions with the relevant shipping company and furnish the ministry with a report in that regard.
He also said that the Ministry will take all the measurers to get them released soon.
- Asian Tribune -
Comments
The decision taken by the
The decision taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to lead the campaign against piracy, initially at a regional level and later at a global level; is an excellent decision. Sri Lanka played a major role in the development of the Colombo Plan and later the non-aligned movement. Piracy has now become a threat to global economic stability. This initiative will receive the support of all the nations affected by Piracy. I hope it will also help the western nations to cooperate with Sri Lanka and change their focus from the past to the future.
Post new comment