Major Indo-Lanka joint naval exercise off Trincomalee coast

Colombo/New Delhi, Sept 19 (PTI) India and Sri Lanka
on Monday kick-started their largest ever joint naval exercise
off the coast off Trincomalee to enhance interoperability
between the two navies.
"Indian Navy and Sri Lanka Navy started a joint naval
exercise off Trincomalee today. It will go on until 24th
September," Sri Lankan Naval spokesman Commander Kosala
Warnakulasuriya said.
The exercise is taking place after a gap of six years as
the last exercise was held in 2005.
"The exercise, code-named 'SLINEX II', is aimed at
enhancing interoperability of the two navies. It will pave way
for both navies to rehearse the concept of joint naval
operations and enhance own skills in order to gain from each
other's experience," he said.
India is participating in the exercise with one of its
latest inductions the INS Shivalik stealth frigate under
Eastern Fleet Commander Rear Admiral H C S Bisht along with
one Rajput Class destroyer, one missile corvette and one
Landing Ship Tanker (Large) and two Fast Attack Crafts, Indian
Navy officials said in New Delhi.
The Sri Lankan Navy has contributed two offshore patrol
vessels, one fast missile vessel, two fast gun boats and six
fast attack crafts in the major exercise.
These are routine exercises of the two navies who
maintained a close cooperation during Sri Lanka's battle
against the LTTE in the north and north eastern waters, the
Sri Lankan officials said.