ECONOMYNEXT – Sri Lanka’s Regional Centre for Maritime Research, established on the Kothelawala Defence College with assist from France has skilled 300 officers, and is increasing to incorporate trainees from different Asian neighbors.
“Over the previous 12 months, RCMS has grown right into a vibrant hub of studying, dialogue, and innovation,” Director Captain Chamila Mendis of the Sri Lanka Navy mentioned in an exercise report.
“By means of conferences, workshops, and collaborative initiatives, we’ve got sought to strengthen maritime information, foster institutional partnerships, and create a platform the place concepts can flourish.”
The RCMS was inaugurated in December 2024 to strengthen the capacities of civil and army administrations concerned in maritime security, safety and marine environmental safety.
The RCMS mirrored the spirit of regional cooperation between Sri Lanka and France and aimed to strengthen safety and stability within the maritime area, the report quoted Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha, Secretary of the Ministry of Protection as saying at a excessive degree deal with.
The Centre was a strategic platform to reinforce inter-ministerial and inter-agency coordination, bridge institutional and operational gaps throughout the Indian Ocean area, and promote
harmonised operational procedures primarily based on worldwide finest practices, he had mentioned.
On the inauguration of the RCMC, the then Secretary Normal of the Ministry for Europe and Overseas Affairs of France Anne-Marie Descotes mentioned maritime security and safety was important for regional stability and financial well-being.
There was a necessity for collaborative approaches and standardized operational procedures involving neighbouring States and worldwide companions.
In early 2025, RCMS consultations have been carried out with Sri Lankan stakeholders to design coaching applications, establish precedence capability gaps and most popular coaching gaps.
“Consultations highlighted the necessity for follow oriented programs addressing operational abilities in maritime security, safety and environmental safety, in addition to curiosity in contributing experience to coaching supply,” the RCMS mentioned.
“In addition they underlined the significance of aligning RCMS actions with current institutional mandates and regional priorities.
In parallel, preliminary analytical work was initiated to establish coaching wants in different international locations of the area, together with the Maldives and Bangladesh, as a part of the Centre’s gradual regional outreach.
In 2025, 13 coaching applications have been carried out, and three conferences have been organized.
A course on addressed oil spill response each at sea and alongside the shoreline, with on field-based demonstrations for the Sri Lanka Navy, Ports Authority and the MEPA.
Members have been launched to response tools and methods via sensible shows of supplies and dwell demonstrations of their deployment and use in several operational contexts.
In a program on disaster administration buildings and intervention groups throughout maritime emergencies individuals labored on coordination mechanisms, decision-making processes and communication below disaster situations.
A course on concentrating on and evaluation of delivery containers mixed analytical approaches for figuring out high-risk shipments, data sharing between companies, and using intelligence instruments in port environments, with field-based periods on the port with French Customs and Sri Lanka Navy, Ports Authority, Coast guard and Customs officers.
A course on Port Security and Harmful Items Administration, addressed the administration of harmful items in port environments, with a concentrate on security procedures, regulatory frameworks and danger prevention.
Officers from port authorities in Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Malaysia and Indonesia have been in this system.
Different applications included constructing maritime area consciousness, studying to counter smuggling of radiological and nuclear materials backed by UNODC International Maritime Crime Programme which additionally introduced in justice and law-enforcement officers.
“The programme mixed prosecutor mentoring with a simulated trial, bringing collectively judges, prosecutors and law-enforcement officers,” the exercise report mentioned.
“By means of role-play workout routines, individuals labored on case preparation, evidentiary evaluation and courtroom follow, strengthening inter-agency coordination and authorized capacities to deal with complicated maritime trafficking circumstances.”
(Colombo/May03/2026)
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