SL Navy extends services for over 10,000 OBST ship movements at Galle Operation Centre
 

Since restarting facilitation for Onboard Security Team (OBST) operations, the Sri Lanka Navy has provided services for over 10,000 ship movements through the Galle operation centre, as of this afternoon (July, 18).

Sri Lanka Navy undertook the extension of these facilities from year 2015 and had earned a staggering amount of over Rs 3 billion to the Sri Lankan Government through the provision of security services. Apart from the Galle operation centre, two more centers are operated by the Navy in Colombo and Hambantota.

The duty undertaken by the Navy was an extension of maritime security operations in which the Navy gets actively involved in keeping our waters safe and secure for maritime commerce and freedom of navigation. The facilitation of services includes; embarkation and disembarkation of On-board Security Teams, receiving, storing and issuing of weapons, ammunition and equipment registered with foreign and local On-board Security Teams who operate for merchant shipping companies.

On 13^th November 2015, the Sri Lanka Navy took over facilitation of OBST duties, following a special presidential directive and the earnings are directly deposited in the Government Consolidated Fund.