Sri Lanka, July 8 -- The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval for the proposal presented by the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Minister of Defence, for the Sri Lankan Navy (SLN) to conduct maritime security operations in relation to commercial ships, under the supervision of the Ministry of Defence.

Cabinet Spokesman Minister Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa announced this during a press briefing held today (08) to announce the Cabinet decisions.

The detailed that the International Maritime Organization declared the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, Somali Sea, a high-risk zone in 2010 due to the pirate activities that had to be endured by the merchant ships engaged in international maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Gulf...