First Sri Lanka Coast Guard Offshore Patrol Vessel commissioned

Sri Lanka's first Coast Guard Ship Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) 'Suraksha'  was commissioned by  State Minister of Defence Ruwan Wijewardene at a ceremony held at the Colombo Harbour last week, according to Defence ministry. 

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Travis Sinniah and Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Rear Admiral Samantha Wimalathunga received the guests upon their arrival at the venue. Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Mr. Kapila Waidyaratne PC was also present at the Commissioning Ceremony held last evening.

The 74.10 m long OPV earlier belonged to the Indian Coast Guard and was officially gifted to Sri Lanka in September (2017).

The State Minister handed over the Commissioning Warrant to the ship's Commanding Officer which was then read by him. Thereafter, the State Minister got onboard the ship and unveiled the Commissioning Pennant of the ship amidst the blessings of the religious dignitaries present.

SLCG Suraksha is manned by a crew of 14 officers and 86 sailors. With a displacement of 1,160 tons, the OPV can sail at a speed of 22 nautical miles per hour. The 11.40 m wide vessel can cover a distance of 8,500 nm maintaining a speed of 16 nautical miles per hour.

Members of the Maha Sangha and other religious dignitaries, High Commissioner of India to Sri Lanka, HE Shri Taranjit Singh Sandhu, Secretary to the State Ministry of Defence Mr. Sunil Samaraweera , senior Ministry officials, Commanders of the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Force, senior Navy and Coast Guard officers and a number special invitees were present at the occassion.

The SLCG will use the newly commissioned ship for patrolling and surveillance of the country's territorial waters, render humanitarian assistance and disaster response operations, prevention of maritime pollution and for training purposes as well.