Commander of the Navy returns home after attending RAN Sea Power Conference 2019

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva attended the Sea Power Conference 2019 organized by the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and the 6^th Meeting of Sri Lanka-Australia Joint Working Group on People Smuggling.

The Sea Power Conference 2019 was held at the International Convention Centre in Sydney Australia from 08^th to 10^th October. Meanwhile, the 6^th Meeting of Sri Lanka-Australia Joint Working Group on People Smuggling was held in Canberra on 11^th October.

The Sea Power conference was held with the participation over 80 defence chiefs and 21 agencies interested in defence activities. The theme of this year's conference was ‘The Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain in the 21^st Century - The Spectrum of Influence’ Further it discussed wide range of issues pertaining to the Indian Ocean Region what the Sri Lanka Navy is also responsible for. Meanwhile, the Commander of the Navy held discussions with his foreign counterparts on matters of bilateral importance as well.

The Navy Chief also attended the Pacific 2019 – International Maritime Exposition held on the sidelines of the conference.

During the 6^th Meeting of Sri Lanka-Australia Joint Working Group on People Smuggling held in Canberra Australia, deliberations were conducted focusing on illegal migration, drug smuggling and related issues which have turned out to be challenges in the maritime domain. The discussion held annually between the two countries also paved the way to strengthen defence ties over the years.

Sri Lanka High Commissioner to Australia, Secretary Defence, General Shantha Kottegoda (Retd) and a Sri Lanka delegation were also present on these occasions.