The duty undertaken by the Navy was an extension of maritime security operations in which the Navy gets actively involved in keeping our waters safe and secure for maritime commons and freedom of navigation.

The facilitation of services includes; embarkation and disembarkation of On-board Security Teams, receiving, storing and issuing of weapons, ammunition and equipment registered with foreign and local On-board Security Teams who operate for merchant shipping companies.

The Sri Lanka Navy took over facilitation of OBST duties, following a special presidential directive and the earnings are directly deposited in the Government Consolidated Fund.