By Shamindra Ferdinando | The Island
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SLN headquarters told The Island that the five-day exercise codenamed ‘SLINEX II’ would enhance relations between the two navies and help them share experience, skills and expertise.
An SLN spokesperson said that it was the second exercise since the conclusion of the conflict in May 2009. Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa will visit Trincomalee to meet officers and men involved in the exercise.
The elite Special Boat Squadron of the SLN, too, will take part in the exercise.
Government sources told The Island that in spite of efforts by interested parties to undermine Indo-Lanka relations through a vicious propaganda campaign directed at the SLN over unsubstantiated allegations of attacks on the Tamil Nadu fishing fleet, the two governments had always striven to improve relations between their navies.
The Indian fleet comprises one Destroyer (INS Ravijay), one Frigate (INS Shivlik), one missile corvette ((INS Khanjar), one Landing Ship Tank (INS Gharial), two Fast Attack Craft (Cheriyam and Koradivh) and one maritime patrol aircraft.
Sri Lanka will deploy two Offshore Patrol Vessels (SLNS Sagara and SLNS Samudura), a Fast Missile Vessel (SLNS Nandimihra), two Fast Gun Boats (Prathapa and Ranajaya) and six Fast Attack Craft.
During External Affairs Minister Prof. G. L. Peiris’ three-day visit to New Delhi last May, the two countries agreed to enhance cooperation in the energy sector and to promote dialogue on security and defence issues of relevance to bilateral relations.
Government sources said that both countries were keen to strengthen relations between the two militaries, particularly between the two navies to prevent possible incursions by pirates.
© The Island
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