The Inshore Patrol Craft (IPC) Handling Foundation Course, tailored exclusively for lady officers and women sailors of the Navy, concluded on a successful note in Naval & Maritime Academy (NMA), Trincomalee. The event was taken place under the patronage of Commandant Naval and Maritime Academy Commodore Buddika Liyanagamage and the Head of Global Maritime Crime Programme of United Nations Office of Drug Control Ms. Siri Bjune at the Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda Auditorium in the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee on 18th August 2023.
The prime motive behind this initiative is to provide willing Navy women with the chance to take up roles on ships and craft, which have historically been the exclusive domain of their male counterparts. By embracing this change, SLN is not only promoting gender equality but also tapping into the often untapped potential of its female members, who bring unique perspectives and skills to the maritime realm.
A noteworthy aspect of the course was the international collaboration it entailed. Participants included 03 lady officers each from the Indonesian Marine Police and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency, alongside 01 lady officer and 02 woman sailors from the Sri Lanka Navy. This gathering of diverse perspectives and experiences facilitated cross-cultural learning and knowledge exchange, enriching the overall training experience.
This landmark initiative underscores the NMA training competence expanding overseas culminating first course Lady consignment walk along it’s more than 55 years voyage.
The course, which spanned Four (04) weeks, aimed to equip female naval officers and sailors with the essential skills and knowledge required to effectively operate and manage inshore patrol craft. These lady officers and women sailors sharpened their practical and theoretical knowledge on Navigation, Seamanship, Engineering, Electricity, Combat Medicine, Firefighting, Communication and Boat Handling during the programme.
Participation for the event as a Chief Guest, The Commandant NMA Commodore Buddika Liyanagamage explicate that the Sri Lanka Navy’s decision to introduce women crew for Inshore Patrol Craft is more than just a strategic move; it’s a declaration of equality, empowerment, and transformation. By extending opportunities to women that were once deemed off-limits, the Navy is embarking on a journey towards a more inclusive and capable force. As the maritime landscape evolves, this initiative will undoubtedly serve as a beacon of progress and a testament to the Navy’s commitment to embracing change for a brighter future.
