Head of Global Maritime Crime Programme of UNODC meets with Commander of the Navy

A delegation from the United Nations Office on Drugs & Crime (UNODC), led by the Head of Global Maritime Crime Programme (GMCP), Ms. Siri Bjune met with the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda at the Navy Headquarters today (27 Jan 25).

During this official interaction, the Commander of the Navy and the Head of Global Maritime Crime Programme of UNODC exchanged views on several matters of bilateral importance. They mainly focused on training programmes being carried out with the contribution of the Sri Lanka Navy, as part of the Global Maritime Crime Programme of UNODC.

UNODC’s mission is to contribute to global peace and security, human rights and development by making the world safer from drugs, crime, corruption and terrorism. Thus, UNODC programme is committed to support member states, through its mandate, to develop cooperation and build law enforcement capacity to counter serious organized crime within the maritime domain.

Since 2016, the Sri Lanka Navy has successfully conducted 50 Visit Board Search & Seize (VBSS) training courses for foreign maritime law enforcement agencies at the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) Headquarters in Trincomalee, as part of the Global Maritime Crime Programme of UNODC.