(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) – India’s High Commissioner to Colombo Gopal Baglay has handed over Rs. 22 million worth training aids to Sri Lanka Navy.
High Commissioner Baglay, who is on a visit to the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka, formally handed over the training aids LKR to the Commander Eastern Naval Area of the Sri Lanka Navy at a ceremony held Sunday at the prestigious Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA) Trincomalee.
Pursuing the commitment of Indian Navy in assisting the regional navies in capacity building, during his visit in December 2019, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Karambir Singh had committed to providing a number of training items to the Sri Lankan Navy.
With a focus on supporting Specialization courses being conducted at NMA, Sri Lanka Navy model of indigenously developed Varunastra heavy weight torpedo, working model of Light Weight Torpedo, Underwater Telephone, Gas Turbine cut Model, model of HMS Trincomalee and Bathy thermograph were delivered in Sri Lanka in 2020 and were operationalized with joint efforts of Indian Navy, Sri Lankan Navy and the OEMs from India.
While formally handing over the training aids, the High Commissioner reiterated the importance of close cooperation between the two Navies as an essential part of the overall bilateral engagement. He also handed over Kindle e-book readers and books to the library of the Naval and Maritime Academy.
The Indian Navy and the Sri Lankan Navy have always maintained a functional relationship and a number of training facilities of the Indian Navy are availed by the Sri Lankan Navy, the High Commission said.
During his visit to Trincomalee, the High Commissioner has also visited Cod Bay Fishery Harbor, the only natural harbor belonging to Ceylon Fishery Harbors Corporation (CFHC).
He interacted with Managing Director of CFHC Vadivel Satyanandan and fishermen and saw operations involving multi – day fishing boats. Indian assistance for expansion of jetty at the Bay and other fishing infrastructure and related facilities was requested.
On 13 March 2021, High Commissioner visited the site of the proposed solar power Plant located at Sampur which is to be developed as a Joint Venture between India and Sri Lanka.
High Commissioner witnessed the impressive development of Lower Tank Farms through investments by Lanka IOC.
He also visited the Upper Tank Farm and was briefed about its potential and possibilities for development. Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.
