Big power vessels in Colombo port: Christmas rendezvous with Sri Lanka Navy
A US warship, an Indian Navy hydrographic survey vessel and three vessels of the Russian Pacific Fleet arrived in Sri Lanka this Christmas week.
USS Rushmore arrived in Colombo Port last Friday. The 186-metre, 18,000-ton landing ship dock vessel has an embarked contingent of US Marines from the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit (13th MEU). The Rushmore will be in Colombo till Dec 26.
The Russian cruiser Varyag, destroyer Admiral Panteleyev and the fleet replenishment oiler Boris Butoma of the Pacific Fleet will be in port till the 24th.
An Indian Navy hydrographic survey vessel, INS Jamuna, also called on Colombo this weekend.
The arrival of the US Navy vessel coincides with the arrival of three vessels of the Russian Pacific Fleet which are also docked in Colombo port this weekend.
The US embassy, in a statement on their official Facebook page, called it a “visit to Colombo as part of a growing US-Sri Lanka naval partnership." During their stay, sailors and marines will visit historical sites and other places of importance in Sri Lanka. Rushmore is crewed by 380 officers and sailors and commanded by Commander RC Tryan.
The visit comes against the backdrop of significant advances in the US-Sri Lanka defence and security relations, post-2015.
The US government recently gifted the Sri Lanka Navy a 115-meter coast guard cutter which is expected to arrive in Sri Lanka early next year. Additionally, the US Marine Corp assisted the SLN to train Sri Lanka’s first marine battalion. The SLN Marines, for the first time, took part in one of the biggest naval exercises - RIMPAC 2018, having embarked on the Royal Australian Navy Vessel, the HMAS Adelaide, off Hawaii last July.
US defence officials say the USS Rushmore, part of an amphibious readiness group, together with the 13th MEU, is deployed to the US 7th Fleet area of operations to support regional stability, reassure partners and allies, and maintain a presence postured to respond to any crisis ranging from humanitarian assistance to contingency operations.
The Indian Navy's hydrographic survey ship Jamuna arrived at the Colombo harbour on Thursday with a view to undertaking hydrographic surveys in Sri Lankan waters.
The Sri Lanka Navy welcomed the ship in compliance with naval traditions. The Indian High Commission's Assistant Defence Attaché, Ravi Mishra, was present on this occasion. Lieutenant Colonel Mishra and Commanding Officer INS Jamuna, Captain H A Hardas met Sri Lanka Navy's Western Naval Area Commander Nishantha Ulugetenne at the Western Naval Command Headquarters and held a cordial discussion, focusing on matters pertinent to the visit.
Mementos were exchanged to signify the occasion.
During the ship's call at the island, it is expected to undertake a joint hydrographic survey covering the sea area from Colombo to Galle. The ship’s company is also scheduled to take part in a number of events organised by the Sri Lanka Navy. Manned by a crew of 230, INS Jamuna is 85.77 metres long and 12.82 metres wide.