Sri Lankan Search and Rescue Team meets counterpart in Indonesia

A three-member Sri Lankan delegation visited Jakarta on 15 October to formulate an Action Plan on Search and Rescue cooperation, and met with high-ranking officials of the National Search and Rescue Agency of Indonesia (BASARNAS). The delegation was headed by Sri Lanka Coast Guard Deputy Director General Commodore YMGB Jayathilaka and included Sri Lanka Navy Director (Naval Operations) Commodore PDS Dias, Embassy of Sri Lanka Minister Counsellor (Defence) Commodore M.S.K. Mahawatte, and Wing Commander R.M.C.K. Ratnayake from Sri Lanka Air Force Directorate of Air Operations.

During the visit, officials from both countries discussed the action plan of the Memorandum of Understanding on SAR Cooperation that was signed in Colombo in January 2018, during the State Visit of President Joko Widodo to Sri Lanka. The action plan includes enhancing bilateral cooperation, effective networking & disaster coordination, capacity building, exchange of professional assistance and joint exercise on SAR.

On paying a courtesy call to BASARNAS Chief Air Marshal Bagus Puruhito, S.E, M.M., Sri Lanka officials were briefed on the coordination mechanism of BASARNAS and familiarised with the scope of work at the Command Operations Centre, when disaster situation activated. 

Officials from BASARNAS partner agencies, Ministry of Transport Directorate of Civil Aviation, Indonesian Coast Guard (BAKAMLA), and National Disaster Mitigation Agency (BNPB) also participated in the meeting.