Indian Naval Ship Sharda calls on Colombo today

Wednesday, 10 June 2026 05:48 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Indian Naval Ship Sharda, a Sukanya-class Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV), will visit Colombo from 10 to 13 June 2026 for an Operational Turnaround (OTR) and the transshipment of stores from the Indian Army for the Sri Lanka Army’s deployment in UN missions. The items will be formally handed over at a ceremony at the Defence Ministry on 16 June 2026.

Upon arrival, the Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Kartik Sachdeva, will call on the Commander of the Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral SJ Kumara. The ship’s crew will also engage in professional and sporting interactions with the Sri Lanka Navy.

In the lead-up to the International Day of Yoga, a joint yoga session is being planned for the ship’s crew and Sri Lanka Navy personnel to showcase its benefits in achieving physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.

Visits by Indian Navy vessels to Sri Lanka aim to further strengthen the strong bonds between the two friendly navies, in line with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions’ (MAHASAGAR).