One Year into OBST Operations: Navy Earns Over Rs. 2.3 Billion
Having taken over the Onboard Security Team Operations (OBST) from Avant Garde Maritime Services Ltd since 13th November 2015, the Sri Lanka Navy was able to earn Rs. 2.33 Billion for the Government of Sri Lanka to date.
Accordingly, from 13th November 2015 until 13th November 2016 the Navy had earned an income of Rs. 2.33 Billion for a total of 6,646 ship movements. Galle and Colombo operation centers have carried out 6150 and 496 movements respectively averaging approximately 554 moves per month.
The earnings generated through OBST operations are directly deposited in the Consolidated Fund of the Sri Lanka Government.
With the annulment of the previous agreement, Sri Lanka Navy was entrusted the task of providing security to merchant vessels and supplying services to Security Firms involved in providing onboard security for merchant ships. The Navy took over these duties following a special directive issued by His Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena.
Since taking over the duties, naval personnel were involved in providing services to merchant ships carrying mainly weapons and ammunitions. Since taking over these tasks, the Navy ensured that the security requirements of the merchant vessels which are frequenting the High Risk Area (HRA) are provided services efficiently by the naval personnel at Galle and Colombo horbours.
The Galle and Colombo operation centers look after the receiving, holding and issuing of weapons, ammunitions and other related equipment belonging to foreign as well as local On Board Security Teams.