An Indian Ocean Naval Symposium COVID- 19 Workshop through Video Conference for interaction of experts and experience sharing was organised between Indian Navy on 23 December 2020. The aim of the Webinar was to discuss Standard Operating Procedures, Best Practices, issues concerning COVID management and the Way ahead on administering the Corona Vaccine by the participants.
The Webinar was inaugurated by Cmde Ajit Gopinath, Principal Director Medical Services (HS), Indian Navy after which presentations on Public Health Strategies, Guidelines and best practices adopted by Indian Navy were made. He also complimented the large participation of the Sri Lanka Navy and thanked Surgeon Rear Admiral GSR Jayawardhana, Principal Adviser on Spread of Covid 19 in Sri Lanka for his gracious presence. He also brought out that to effectively deal with and contain the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that countries, especially in neighborhood join hands.
The Webinar was attended by Surgeon Rear Admiral GSR Jayawardhana, Principal Adviser on Spread of Covid 19 in Sri Lanka and Director General Naval Health Services Cmde Maramage along with medical specialists from Sri Lanka Naval Area Headquarters. The Principal Adviser emphasized the importance of such platforms to share best practices and knowledge so as to tackle this global pandemic effectively. He also shared his experience on controlling the spread of pandemic in Sri Lanka Navy and the country in particular through foresight and proactive steps initiated by the Government under the guidance of the Sri Lankan President.
The event also had participation of experts from Australia, Bangladesh, France, Iran, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Mauritius, Myanmar, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Timor-Leste and UK. Presentations were made by the specialists on the efforts initiated by the respective Navies and the best practices to counter Corona virus. It was an extremely fruitful exchange of ideas and innovative experience sharing. In addition, issues about the evolving trends of the pandemic and steps taken to ensure future management were also discussed.
India and Sri Lanka enjoy a strong and growing defence relationship pillared on extensive training and close linkages between the militaries. Both Armed Forces have been striving hard to learn from each other in the fields of anti terrorism operations, exchange of information, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts etc. Even now, when COVID-19 pandemic has crippled the movement of people across the world, Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy have continued their interaction through virtual platforms. The deep rooted cooperation between the two defence forces may be recalled in Aug 2020, when Maj Gen Sujeewa Munasinghe, the Secretary Health Services, Sri Lanka had addressed a Covid 19 Management WEBINAR, organized by Indian Army.