Sri Lanka, India navies hold 26th IMBL meeting aboard Sri Lankan naval ship

The Navies of Sri Lanka and India held the annual International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) meeting aboard a Sri Lankan naval ship in the mid seas on Thursday.

The Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) in a statement said the 26th International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) meeting between the representatives of the Navies and Coast Guards of Sri Lanka and India was held onboard SLNS Sagara at the Indo-Sri Lanka Maritime Boundary Line off Kankasanthurai on 28 April 2016.

The Sri Lankan delegation headed by Commander Northern Naval Area Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva comprised Deputy Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Commodore Kassapa Paul and nine naval officers. The Indian delegation was headed by Rear Admiral Alok Bhatnagar along with eight Indian naval officers. Both delegations consisted of officers specialised in diverse fields.

The navies of the two countries meet annually, aiming to strengthen naval relations between the two neighbours.

The annual meeting provides an opportunity to exchange views and ideas with regard to operational effectiveness through a common understanding of the two Navies and Coast Guards.

The 26th meeting primarily focused on maintaining effective maritime security in the region by integrating the forces through co-operation, coordination and collaboration.