UNODC integrated training programme on countering drug trafficking by sea concludes on successful note
The first phase of United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) integrated training programme on countering drug trafficking by sea concluded at the Special Boat Squadron Training School (SBSTS), Trincomalee on 2 October 2026. The event was graced by Mr. David O’Connell, Southeast Asia Regional Programme Coordinator and Border Management Branch Asia Coordinator of UNODC, as chief guest.
The Regional VBSS Course comprised 08 participants from Bangladesh, 01 from India, 08 from the Maldives and 13 from Sri Lanka and 16 representing the Sri Lanka Navy, Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Sri Lanka Customs and Sri Lanka Police.
The programme was jointly conducted by the UNODC and the Regional Centre for Maritime Studies (RCMS) at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, with contributions from international experts, including French Customs officials. Practical exercises were held on 29 September aboard the merchant vessel Stella Beauty. The training concluded with an exercise to detect drugs concealed in hidden compartments aboard Sri Lanka Navy vessel A 521.
Speaking on this occasion, Captain Dharmasiri Herath, Commandant Special Boat Squadron Training School said long-term cooperation between the UNODC and the Special Boat Squadron had begun in 2015 to strengthen maritime law enforcement capabilities in the Indian Ocean region. He said training that initially focused on VBSS procedures and related basic instructor courses had gradually expanded since 2016 to include advanced maritime law enforcement training. Captain Herath also acknowledged the UNODC's contribution to improving the Special Boat Squadron Training School's Ship-in-a-Box visit, VBSS training facility, as well as its infrastructure facilities.
Meanwhile, Mr. David O’Connell congratulated the participants and emphasized that countering maritime drug trafficking requires more than successful interdiction at sea. Ms. Ana Verron and Mr. Johann Hendrick from French Customs, Chief Instructor Mr. Leonard Adams, Ms. Dinithi Mendis, Project Support Officer for UNODC Colombo, and a group of distinguished invitees were present on this occasion.