Foreign CG, Police and Customs officers complete VBSS course in Trincomalee
A Visit Board Search & Seizure (VBSS) course for the Indonesian, Malaysian, and Philippine military personnel affiliated to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) was conducted by the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) at its Training School in Trincomalee. The closing ceremony of this 3rd VBSS course was held on a high note and it was graced by Ambassador of Japan to Sri Lanka, Mr. Akira Sugiyama and Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva.
The ceremony also saw a skill-display presented by the course participants making use of the training imparted by the Navy on VBSS activities. The head of Global Maritime Crime Programme Mr. Alan Cole, Deputy Area Commander Eastern Naval Area, Commodore Noel Kalubowila and Commanding Officer Special Boat Squadron, Captain Aruna Weerasinghe were also present at the event.
The training programme undertook by the Sri Lanka Navy in collaboration with the UNODC was held for the third time over six days from 19th to 24th November at the SBS Headquarters in Trincomalee. The course was attended by 08 officials from the Indonesian Customs, 08 officers from the Malaysian Coast Guard, 02 Maritime Police and 02 Coast Guard officers from the Philippine, making the tally to 20. This special training programme was carried out in such a manner enabling the participants to pick the brain of experienced SLN personnel to hone their knowledge mainly on drug identification, drug transferring methods and planning, preparation and boarding procedures in VBSS operations.
Mr. Akira Sugiyama and Rear Admiral Silva Extended their best wishes to the course participants who completed their very first specialized training of this nature and awarded certificates to them in recognition of the successful completion of the course. Moreover, the head of Global Maritime Crime Programme Mr. Alan Cole, addressing the gathering, extended his sincere gratitude to the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe, Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Silva, Commanding Officer Special Boat Squadron, Captain Weerasinghe and his staff for the assistance rendered for the successful completion the course.
