Navy conducts VBSS course for Bangladesh and Maldivian naval personnel
 

A Visit Board Search & Seizure Course (VBSS) for the Bangladesh and Maldivian naval personnel attached to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Programme has been commenced at the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) Training School in Trincomalee on 18 June 2018. The programme is being held under the guidance of Deputy Chief of Staff and Director General Operations, Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva and Director General Training, Rear Admiral Rasika Dissanayake. The opening address of the course was held with the participation of Captain Aruna Weerasinghe, the Commanding Officer Special Boat Squadron and the Maritime Law Enforcement mentors from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Programme.

The two week-long course organized for the second time by the Sri Lanka Navy in coordination with the officials of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Programme, is attended by 08 naval personnel each from Bangladesh and Maldives and 12 participants from the Sri Lanka Navy and Coast Guard. During the course, the participants are expected hone their knowledge mainly on drug identification, drug transferring methods and planning, preparation and boarding procedures.

Making the world safer from drugs, crimes and terrorism, UNODC is a global leader in the fight against such activities and is mandated to assist member states in their struggle against illicit drugs, drug trafficking, maritime crime, terrorism and human trafficking. On a related note the Special Boat Squadron has got a wealth of knowledge and experiences in dealing with VBSS task in relation to drugs and crime.