Colombo: A significant meeting aimed at expanding foreign employment opportunities for retiring Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) personnel in the shipping and marine sector was co-chaired by Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Deputy Minister of Ports and Civil Aviation, Hon. Janitha Ruwan Kodithuwakku. The meeting took place at the office of the Deputy Minister of Defence in Colombo and focused on addressing key challenges faced by retiring naval personnel seeking employment abroad.

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the discussion centered on the absence of internationally recognized professional qualification certificates necessary for employment in the global maritime industry. This lack of qualifications has been identified as a barrier for retiring SLN personnel, and there is a recognized need to establish a mechanism that would facilitate these individuals in obtaining such certifications.

The meeting highlighted the valuable technical expertise and experience possesse
d by the large number of highly trained personnel leaving the Navy each year. Participants stressed the importance of leveraging this expertise to enhance their employability within the international shipping and marine sector, thereby tapping into a potential source of valuable foreign revenue for the country.

Additionally, the discussion underscored the necessity of creating a local mechanism to support retiring naval personnel in obtaining internationally accepted competency qualifications. This initiative aligns with the Government’s policy of generating foreign revenue and offers a pathway for these skilled individuals to transition smoothly into international employment opportunities.

The meeting saw the participation of key figures including the Commander of the Navy, the Additional Secretary of Defence, and the Director General of Merchant Shipping (DGMS), alongside senior officials from the SLN, the Ministry of Defence (MOD), and the Merchant Shipping Secretariat (MSS).