The vessel P 626 acquired by the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) from the US government in a bid to increase the operational capability of the island’s sea arm, was commissioned as SLNS ‘Gajabahu’ on a ceremonial note by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena at Colombo harbour last evening, Navy announced.
The vessel was previously owned by the US Coast Guard and later it was officially handed over to the Sri Lanka Navy, during a ceremony held at Honolulu, Hawaii, United States on 27th August last year. The 115m long and 13m wide platform has the maximum speed of 28 knots as well. Besides, it has a displacement of 3302 tons and the ship is manned by 22 officers and 111 sailors, as its crew.
Deputy Chief of Staff and Director General Operations, Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle, Director Generals and Directors of the Navy, senior officers and sailors were also present on this ceremonial occasion.
Subsequently, the ceremony saw the Commanding Officer of the ship, Captain Rohitha Abeysinghe receiving the Commissioning Warrant from President - the Chief Guest of the event. Thereupon, the Commanding Officer of the ship read out the Commissioning Warrant pledging his bounden duty in safeguarding the interests of the nation with full of respect and honour.
President Sirisena unveiled the ship’s crest and name board among the blessings of religious dignitaries, to designate the new AOPV as Sri Lanka Navy Ship (SLNS) ‘Gajabahu’. Further, the President together with distinguished guests also went onto inspect the facilities and instrument fitted onboard this state-of-the-art vessel and he was briefed on the advanced technological instrument of the ship by Commander of the Navy.
The ship is equipped with weapons, communications, aviation and other operating systems. Once the ship being joined the SLN fleet, she will take the place as the largest platform to be held by the SLN. The ship will be utilized for patrol and surveillance missions in the deep seas around Sri Lanka providing the maritime security and assistance to search and rescue operations.
Religious dignitaries of all faiths including the Venerable Maha Sangha, State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardene, Secretaries to the Ministries including the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General (Rtd) Shantha Kottegoda, U.S. Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Ms. Alaina B. Teplitz, Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva, Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal, Sumangala Dias and a host of distinguished invitees graced this occasion
Mr. Ali Sabri Rahim, a Member of Parliament (MP) for Puttalam District whom an open warrant had been issued, attended a public ceremony at Al Aksha National School in Kalpitiya today (16) as the special guest of honor.
All Ceylon Makkal Congress MP Ali Sabri Raheem had been arrested by Kalpitiya police after he surrendered to the police today morning.
Senior DIG Nilantha Jayawardena has been sent on compulsory leave pending disciplinary investigation over his failure to prevent the Easter Sunday bombings.
The 22nd amendment to the constitution dealing with the term of the President has been gazetted by order of President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Auspicious times widely followed by candidates keeping with traditions will be taken into consideration by the Election Commission in fixing the date and time for the conduct on the Presidential polls.
The Cabinet of Ministers has granted policy approval to change the wording “exceeding six years” in paragraph (b) of Article 83 of the Constitution to “exceeding five years” with reference to the President’s tenure.
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