March 04, Colombo (LNW): The Indian Naval Ship Kuthar, an indigenously built Khukri-class corvette, docked at the Port of Colombo yesterday (03) for a three-day goodwill visit.
The vessel was greeted with a warm and traditional reception, including a performance by the Sri Lankan Navy band and an official welcome from senior naval officers.
Upon its arrival, the commanding officer of INS Kuthar, Commander Nitin Sharma, paid a courtesy call to Rear Admiral MHCJ Silva, the Commander of the Western Naval Area of the Sri Lanka Navy.
The occasion marked an important step in furthering the strong maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
One of the key events during the visit was a ceremony held on board INS Kuthar, where the ship’s crew handed over a refilled fire-fighting system cylinder to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship Suraksha.
This system is a vital component of the vessel’s safety infrastructure. SLCGS Suraksha, an Offshore Patrol Vessel, was transferred to Sri Lanka by the Indian government in October 2017, and India has previously provided spare parts and technical support to the ship, including similar assistance in June 2021, April 2022, and June 2024. The refilling of fire-fighting cylinders was also carried out by India in January 2024.
During its stay in Colombo, INS Kuthar will engage in a series of professional interactions aimed at enhancing the skills and knowledge of Sri Lankan Navy personnel.
These exchanges will focus on sharing best practices and enhancing operational efficiency between the two navies. A special demonstration on Visit, Board, Search, and Seizure (VBSS) operations, as well as Force Protection tactics, will be conducted by the Sri Lanka Navy for the Indian crew.
Additionally, the ship’s crew will take part in sports activities and yoga sessions with their Sri Lankan counterparts, further strengthening the camaraderie between the two forces.
INS Kuthar is scheduled to depart from Colombo on March 06, 2025, marking the conclusion of this important visit that highlights the continued close ties between the Indian and Sri Lankan navies.
