Two Japanese naval ships arrive at the Port of Colombo

Saturday, 30 November 2013 08:54 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Two Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force ships arrived at the Port of Colombo for a goodwill and supply visit whilst on their way for piracy patrols at the seas off Somalia and Gulf of Aden. Ships were warmly welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) in accordance with the naval customs and traditions on arrival.

Both destroyers, ‘Samidare’ and ‘Sazanami’ are 151 metres in length. ‘Samidare’ bears a displacement of 4,550 tons while ‘Sazanami’ has a displacement of 4,650 tons. Each consists of a complement of 190 naval personnel onboard. Both Samidare DD-106 and Sazanami DD-113’s Head of the mission, Commander Escort Division IV, Captain Hiroaki Tajiri and the Ships’ Commanding Officers, Commander Takashi Saito and Commander Yasihiro Hayashi paid a courtesy call on Commander Western Naval Area of the SLN, Rear Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe at the Western Naval Command Headquarters in Colombo. Cordial discussions were held during the meeting and mementoes were also exchanged to mark the occasion. Meanwhile, the SLN had organised a special program for their visiting counterparts.