Navy receives first Australia-gifted patrol boat

Friday, 25 April 2014 02:28 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

The first patrol boat gifted to the Sri Lanka Navy by Australia arrived at the Port of Colombo on 24 April 2014. It was ceremonially welcomed in accordance with naval traditions on arrival. Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Robyn Mudie and Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage were among the distinguished persons who were present at the ceremonial reception.

The Bay Class boat served the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service under the name ‘Corio Bay’ before being gifted to Sri Lanka. It is 38.2 meters long and has a 2.3 metre draught. With a maximum speed of 24 knots, the boat can cover a range of 3,000 nautical miles. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, while in Sri Lanka to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, pledged the gift of two patrol vessels to SLN as a capacity enhancement measure. He commended the Sri Lanka Navy’s efforts in preventing people smuggling at a high-level meeting held onboard Sri Lanka Navy’s Flag Ship Sayura at the Port of Colombo on 17 November 2013. The fully furbished boat will substantially augment the SLN’s capacity as it is able to cover a large area of the Indian Ocean and serve Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue Area more effectively. The gift symbolises the commitment of the key partners in enhancing maritime security in the region and the bilateral cooperation that exists between the two governments in combating people smuggling. - Pic by Shantha Rathnayake