India gifts Coast Guard Ship 'Varaha" to SL Navy

The ceremonial handing over of the former Indian Coast Guard Ship Varaha, which had been in service with Sri Lanka Navy as Sri Lanka Naval Ship Sagara since 2006, took place at the port of Colombo on Wednesday  in keeping with naval customs and traditions, the Navy said. The Indian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Y. K. Sinha handed over the ship on behalf of the Government of India and the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence, Mr. B. M. U. D. Basnayake accepted the ship on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka. Chief of Defence Staff, service commanders, senior officers of the Sri Lanka Navy and representatives of the Indian High Commission were also present on the occasion. The High Commissioner was accorded a Guard of Honour on arrival and the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne welcomed him and the other distinguished invitees onboard Sagara. Addressing the gathering the Commander of the Navy elaborated the historical relationship between India and Sri Lanka, which dates back to thousands of years. Thereafter, the High Commissioner unveiled the plaque to commemorate the occasion symbolizing the strength of the bilateral relationship between India and Sri Lanka.