First naval visit by NATO country since setting up of diplomatic ties

By Shamindra Ferdinando | The Island
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Sri Lanka Navy says a four-day naval visit by NATO member, Turkey will pave the way for closer ties between the two countries.

Responding to a query by The Island, an SLN spokesman said that it was the first naval visit since the establishment of consular relations between the two countries 104 years ago.

Turkey has the second biggest military among NATO countries and provided a range of assets in support of coalition operations directed against Libya, recently.

The Turkish frigate TCG Gemlik (F-492) left the port of Colombo for Djibouti yesterday. The vessel is on its way to a home base after carrying out counter piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden. On board the vessel was Rear Admiral Sinan Ertugrul, commander of Combined Task Force 151 engaged in operations in the Gulf of Aden. Ertugrul has served with NATO on three occasions, with his last assignment coming to an end in 2008 before being promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral in Aug. 2010.

According to naval records, the first Turkish naval visit had taken place 122 years ago.

TCG Gemlik is skippered by Commander Murat Ugur and carries 30 officers and 241 sailors. New Delhi-based Turkish military attaché Col. Mehmet Dursun was in Colombo to welcome the ship.

The well equipped Turkish navy recently vowed to deploy warships in the eastern Mediterranean, where the Israeli navy operates, causing fears of a conflict between two major US allies in the Middle East.

Meanwhile, a six-man Indian navy delegation is here for discussions on bilateral issues.

Headed by Rear Admiral P. Murugesan, the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Foreign Cooperation), the Indian delegation discussed operational, training, logistical and technical matters with an SLN delegation, led by Rear Admiral Jayantha Perera, Director General, Operations.

An SLN spokesman said that three-day ‘joint staff level talks’ would conclude tomorrow (9). Indo-Lanka talks coincided with the arrival of INS ‘Kuthar’ at the port of Colombo on Wednesday (7). The vessel left yesterday.

© The Island