Sri Lankan Naval Ships Sindhurala and Suranimala Arrive Viskhapatnam to Participate in Sri Lanka – India Exercise (SLINEX)

Sri Lankan Naval Ships Sindhurala and Suranimala Arrive Viskhapatnam to Participate in Sri Lanka – India Exercise (SLINEX)

Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) Ships Sindhurala and Suranimala are on a visit to Visakhapatnam to participate in the seventh edition of Bilateral Maritime Exercise (SLINEX 2019). The exercise will be conducted in two phases from 07 to 12 September 2019. The Harbour Phase will be conducted at Visakhapatnam for the first three days followed by a Sea Phase in the Bay of Bengal from 10 to 12 September 2019. The bilateral exercises between the two navies commenced in 2005 and have steadily grown in scope and complexity with each edition. The Indian Navy is being represented by INS Khukri and Sumedha, alongwith integral helicopters. In addition, shore-based maritime patrol aircraft will also participate in the event. During the Harbour Phase, the ship's teams from both navies will engage in a series of professional interactions, training activities, cultural events as well as sporting exchanges. In addition, the High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, HE Austin Fernando will interact with Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, ENC during the exercise. The participating ships and aircraft will undertake coordinated maritime operations, including aircraft tracking, cross deck flying, gun firing, Visit Board Search and Seizure procedures, underway replenishment and navigational manoeuvres during the Sea Phase.