Sri Lanka offers to assist IORA members in anti-piracy efforts

Sri Lanka has offered to assist Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) members in anti-piracy efforts as a part of the regional body’s maritime security work plan which was finalized recently.

IORA had finalised a two-year work plan focusing on building an integrated policy and developing a framework for maritime security, during its first Maritime Safety and Security (MSS) Working Group meeting in Colombo this month.

Sri Lanka will take the lead role in assessing the progress made by IORA countries in implementing the projects outlined under the work plan.

During the meeting, Sri Lanka had also reiterated its interest in setting up a Regional Maritime Information Fusion Centre in the South, the Foreign Ministry said in a press statement.

At present, there are 22 countries in IORA who were represented by foreign delgates during its first meeting.

Foreign Secretary Ravinatha Aryasinha had pointed out that Sri Lanka would ensure the freedom of navigation routes which is vital for regional security and stability.

He had made this remark while noting that Sri Lanka is located in the centre of the Indian Ocean which is considered to be "the world's busiest and most critical trade corridors", the Foreign Ministry stated.