HMAS Perth makes goodwill visit to Colombo

Royal Australian Navy Anzac class frigate, HMAS Perth, arrived in Colombo on Sunday 19 June for a five-day goodwill visit. Whilst in Sri Lanka, sailors from Perth will practice boarding and anti-narcotic operations with the Sri Lanka Navy and undertake several professional, sporting, social and charity activities to build on the friendship and engagement between the Australian and Sri Lanka navies.

HMAS Perth left from her home port in Western Australia on 7 June and after departing Colombo, will be assigned to the 31-nation Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in the north-western Indian Ocean. During this deployment, Perth may undertake missions involving counter-terrorism, counter-piracy and theatre security cooperation/regional engagements, as part of the Australian Defence Force Contribution to support international efforts to promote maritime security, stability and prosperity in the north-western Indian Ocean/Middle East region.

Perth’s departure will mark the 63rd rotation of Royal Australian Navy ship to the region since 1990. Perth will relieve HMAS Darwin on operations.

 Sailors from HMAS Perth visited the Samata Sarana charity in Colombo where they painted classroom furniture for the school, provided lunch for over 600 of the poor and disadvantaged using the facility and played sports and games with the children. The staff and students at Samata Sarana shared their art work, stories and dancing with the ship’s company who were greatly impressed by their spirit, liveliness and creativity.

Sailors from HMAS Perth visited the Samata Sarana charity in Colombo where they painted classroom furniture for the school, provided lunch for over 600 of the poor and disadvantaged using the facility and played sports and games with the children. 

Sailors from HMAS Perth visited the Samata Sarana charity in Colombo where they painted classroom furniture for the school, provided lunch for over 600 of the poor and disadvantaged using the facility and played sports and games with the children. 

Australian High Commissioner Bryce Hutchesson and HMAS Perth Commanding Officer Captain Ivan Ingham, with guests of honour Defence Secretary Engineer Hettiarachchi and Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice-Admiral Wijegunaratne, at a reception held on board HMAS Perth.

Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice-Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne hosting discussions with HMAS Perth Commanding Officer Captain Ivan Ingham at Navy Headquarters