In pictures: Navy displays its amphibious capabilities

 The Navy displayed its amphibious capabilities coinciding with the independence day celebrations held recently.

Sri Lanka Navy, renowned as the First Line of Defence of the island nation, conducted mock beach insertion as an exhibition to showcase its amphibious capabilities. The simulation included rehearsal scenarios that covered landing and related drills performed by officers and sailors from Sri Lanka Navy Marines, who are famed as amphibious warfare specialists.

This amphibious landing drill was augmented by Landing Ship Tank, Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Shakthi, SLNS Ranagaja, Landing Craft Utility – L 821, L 801 and L 802 as well as small boats particularly used for amphibious operations, the Navy said.

The demonstration on independence saw a group of Navy Marines, projecting force across a potentially hostile shore, in preparation of an amphibious landing. Three small vehicle prototypes, devised by Navy Engineers, were also tested during this demonstration.

Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Meril Sudarshana, Director General Operations, Rear Admiral YN Jayaratne, Acting Director Naval Marine, Captain Sanath Pitigala, Commanding Officer 01st Marine Battalion, Commander Ravi Harischandra and a group of naval personnel were present on this occasion.

Due to the COVID situation only a limited number of people were able to witness the demonstration.

(Pix by M.A.Pushpakumara)