Sri Lanka Coast Guard
| Sri Lankan Coast Guard ශ්රී ලංකා වෙරළාරක්ෂක දෙපාර්තමේන්තුව இலங்கை கடலோர பாதுகாப்பு |
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Sri Lanka Coast Guard crest
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| Active | 2010–Present |
| Country | Sri Lanka |
| Type | Coast Guard |
| Part of | Ministry of Defence |
| Rear Headquarters | Wellawatta |
| Motto(s) | Serene Sea |
| Anniversaries | Coast Guard Day: 4 March |
| Website | www.coastguard.gov.lk |
| Commanders | |
| Director General | Rear Admiral Samantha Wimalathunga RWP, USP, MSc(DS)Mgt, MA(SSS) |
| Deputy Director General | RWP, RSP, USP, psc |
| Insignia | |
| Ensign |  |
| Racing stripe |  |
The Sri Lankan Coast Guard, officially the Department of Coast Guard, is a Sri Lankan non-ministerial government department tasked with Coast guard duties within the territorial waters of Sri Lanka. It comes under the purview of the Ministry of Defence and is staffed by civilian personnel. It is headed by Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guard, currently Rear Admiral Samantha Wimalathunga.
President Mahinda Rajapaksa, as the Minister of Public Security, Law and Order, presented a cabinet paper with regard to the establishment of the Department of Sri Lanka Coast Guard. The Cabinet of Ministers approved the cabinet paper, paving the way to establishing the Sri Lanka Coast Guard on 7 March 2007.
Coast Guard Act, No. 41 of 2009 was enacted by the Parliament on 9 July 2009 to incorporate the Department of Coast Guard. The Coast Guard was inaugurated on 4 March 2010.
Sri Lanka Coast Guard functions under the Ministry of Defence. It is a non-military law enforcement agency at sea. Every Coast Guard officer of the Department of Coast Guard is deemed to be a peace officer for the purposes of the Code of Criminal Procedure Act, No. 15 of 1979. It has legal authority to search and arrest ships, craft and personnel engaged in illegal activities in maritime zones and the territorial waters of Sri Lanka, and to institute legal proceedings against offenders
"Peaceful maritime environment whilst protecting national interests"
"Ensure the security and serenity of the maritime environment whilst enforcing the law at sea. The Coast Guard is further committed towards the sustainable management and development of marine resources."
1999 75 personnel were recruited to SLCG as Officers, Sergeants and Mariners and construction of vessels for SLCG commenced at Neil Marine and Ceynor Boat yards.
2000 Lt Cdr CR Bulegoda Arachchi, a retired Naval Officer, was appointed as the Head of SL Coast Guard by a cabinet paper approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on 1st Aug 2000.
2001 Coast Guard Acts of Asian region were brought and the drafted SLCG act was submitted to the Department of Legal Draftsman. Basic training of CG personnel commenced by SL Navy at SLNS Gemunu, Welisara. Professional training commenced at the Japanese Coast Guard Training Center in Tokyo, Japan. 06 vessels constructed and launching of vessels took place at the Fishery harbour, Beruwala presided by the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Mahinda Rajapaksa. CG Vessel Mahiraja - Search and Rescue operations. CGV Ruhunu and CGV Maya - Fisheries protection in coastal areas. CG Vessels Kadira, Giruvaya and Maagama - Harbour duties.
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Wikipedia