Indian ships in Sri Lanka for naval exercise

Visakhapatnam: The Indian Naval Ships Kirch, Sumitra and Cora Divh entered Trincomalee, Sri Lanka, to participate in the sixth edition of SLINEX 2018, which is a bi-lateral naval exercise between India and Sri Lanka, which commenced on Friday. The naval exercise will continue till September 13.

SLINEX series of bilateral maritime exercises were initiated in 2005 and since then five successful engagements have been conducted. SLINEX over the years has helped both the Navies in understanding each other’s procedures and enhanced interoperability. This edition of the exercise will further strength ties between the two maritime neighbours and contribute towards maritime security in the region.  

The inaugural ceremony of the exercise held onboard SLNS Sayurala was attended by Rear Adm Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF) of Indian Navy, Rear Adm SA Weerasinghe, Commander Eastern Naval Area (COMEAST), and Rear Adm Ananda Kumar Guruge, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet (FOCNF) of the Sri Lankan Navy.  

In addition to three Indian naval ships, one ship-borne integral helicopter and two Maritime Patrol Aircraft Dornier are participating from Indian side while Sri Lankan navy is represented by SLN Ships Sayurala, Samudra and Suranimala.  

The exercise is being conducted in two phases, with the harbour phase from September 7 to 10 at Trincomalee during which the participants will engage in professional, sporting and social interactions.

The harbour phase will be followed by the sea phase from September 11 to 13 at the Bay of Bengal off Trincomalle and which also  include gun firings, communication procedures, seamanship as well as navigation evolutions and helicopter operations.