World News | US Provides Radiation, Chemical Detection Equipment to Sri Lankan Navy

Colombo, May 15 (PTI) The US has provided radiation and chemical detection equipment to the Sri Lankan Navy to boost the island's capacity to detect and respond to nuclear, radiological, and chemical threats in its maritime domain, officials said on Thursday.

"This advanced equipment is a vital tool for protecting Sri Lanka's maritime borders and ensuring the safety of the entire region," said US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung.

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The US Embassy in Colombo said the radiation and chemical detection equipment "valued at a million dollars enhances the Sri Lanka Navy's capability to conduct visit, board, search, and seizure (VBSS) operations in the Indian Ocean while strengthening its ability to detect and intercept hazardous chemical, radiological, and nuclear materials, safeguarding the nation's ports and maritime routes.”

Chung said by enhancing the Navy's ability to detect and respond to nuclear and radiological threats, the US is not just strengthening Sri Lanka's security; it is also safeguarding international shipping routes, protecting communities, and making sure that harmful materials don't reach America's and other countries' shores.

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"This partnership is about keeping people safe, maintaining secure trade, and reinforcing our shared commitment to regional security," the envoy said.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)