Turkish ship calls at Colombo after 112 years

By Ranil WIJAYAPALA

"TCG GEMLIK" or F 492 the Turkish Naval ship docked at the Colombo port with its reddish Turkish flag and the Lion flag of Sri Lanka fluttering in the breeze reminded us of an effort to bring two nations living thousands of miles apart in the geographical locations closer to each other. The ocean had brought these two nations closer as they have sailed more than 4,000 kilometres across the great seas to enhance their friendly relations which had existed for decades.

Its voyage to Sri Lanka marked a major milestone in the bilateral relations between the two countries as 'TCG GEMLIK' has made its voyage to Sri Lanka 112 years after one of its Naval ship visiting Sri Lanka. The last visit of a Turkey Naval ship was in the first week of November 1899.

The ship with a crew of 30 officers and 241 sailors is 138.6 metres in length and commanded by the Commander Murth Ugur. They were warmly welcome by their Naval counterparts from Sri Lanka on September 5 at the Colombo port.

The visit of the Naval ship TCG GEMLIK creates history since the person on board the ship was Rear Admiral Sinan Ertugrul, who commanded Task Force 151(CTF 151), the mission oriented Task Force engaged in Counter Piracy Operations in the Gulf of Aden.

He is the first Admiral to visit Sri Lanka in the long-standing histories of the two countries.

An aura of happiness was on his face when a few journalists visited the ship to meet the Turkey friends who are visiting Sri Lanka after 112 years.

Sharing his heart-felt feeling during his visit to Sri Lanka Rear Admiral Sinan Ertugrul said he was very privileged for being here in Sri Lanka. "I am privileged to say that I am the first ever Turkish Admiral to visit Sri Lanka throughout the history of the nations and before.

That is why I am distinguished to be here representing both the Armed Forces and the nation," he said in a jubilant mood.

"One of the roles of the Navies is to bring the Nations together. The main purpose of our visit is to establish bilateral relations and improve the already existing relations between the two Navies as Navies can take the lead to bring the nations closer., Rear Admiral Ertugrul said.

"The distance between Sri Lanka and Turkey is more than 4,000 Kilometres. We can't geographically get the nations together," he added.

"I believe that there is a range of potential cooperation between the two countries in maritime security, counter terrorism, counter piracy, information share, capability building training etc.

We believe all these things can be shared. In the 21st century everything is important. I strongly believe that this visit will pave the way for the future and this will be recorded in the history of both countries," he added.

He said the grand policy of the Turkish Republic since the beginning is very clear as depicted by the father of Turkey, peace at home is peace in the world.

"This is our grand strategy. In this regard the Turkish Government and Turkish nation has actively involved in international operations on counter terrorism. Since the very beginning of the United Nation Resolution and as a member of the NATO, Turkey has actively participated in the counter terrorism operations. Turkey is also very keen in participating in international events under the UN resolution," he added.

"Now we have a small deployment in Libya under the UN resolution and there are ships in the Lebanon and we have been actively participating in the coalition of 25 nations to counter piracy. Two Admirals from Turkey commanded the Task Force twice within the past two years. Since the beginning of the Combine Task Force we have been deploying vessels in the Indian ocean, Gulf of Aden and in Arabian sea in that regard. We have also our forces in NATO assigned and deployed in different places. As a very reliable and respectable Member of the UN and the world community, the Turkish government is very keen in its requirements," explaining their contribution towards maintaining world peace.

"Our contribution to world peace is not limited to that sort of counter piracy. Monitoring aid is one of our main duties. Turkey has been there in the region when the region was affected by the devastated Tsunami, the Turkish Government and the non government organisations extended our support to those affected from the Tsunami as we believe that we should help each other," he added.

"I fully agree that the Navies' relationship gives impetus for the bilateral relations of two countries. This will help further improve the relations between the two countries. This is a role and feature of the Navy which can deploy in peace time from military aid to non combatant education operation to counter piracy terrorism. I strongly believe we can enhance the ties already existing," he added.

Ask how he sees Sri Lanka's effort to improve the country as a maritime hub in the region the Rear Admiral said it is must considering the strategic position of Sri Lanka.

"I must say it is a must, because strategically and politically Sri Lanka is situated in a very important place close to International Maritime Sea Lines of communication. Of course Sri Lanka should develop into a maritime hub and it is in the interest of prosperity not only for the region but also for the global maritime traders. Sri Lanka cannot only be a regional giant but also a global giant because this is one of the frequently used sea lines of communication in the south of Sri Lanka, he added.

Talking about his experience as the Task Force 151(CTF 151), the mission-oriented Task Force engaged in Counter Piracy Operations in the Gulf of Aden against Somalian pirates, he said Turkey is very keen on making this requirement to be there.

"So we have taken the command of coalition forces twice. Even before me there was one Turkish Admiral one year ago. Turkey believes that we have to contribute towards peace and prosperity not in the region but also internationally," he added.

"Counter priracy is against the prosperity of the nations and the world trade, because based on the results on the piracy the cost of maritime trade and shipping is increased. There are some nations in the world that cannot cope up with this increase. Everything increases with the increase of insurance. That is a basic principle in maritime security," he added.

"We have to think of the maritime sea lines of communication. It is one of the basic principles of the maritime power. I am not referring to Naval forces only, but as a whole we have to secure the freedom of navigation. This is an indigenous right of every nation and every citizen should have such a security. So the piracy is against the maritime security and the freedom and prosperity of all nations. So in this regard we in the coalition force and whatever the other nations and political entities like NATO, EU are making combined efforts and coordinating efforts wherever", he added.

"We have to combine all the efforts in the region to get better results. Otherwise if you can imagine the scale of the ocean which is more than 2.5 million square miles. Just our few ships and tank ships or hundred ships don't make any sense. They are just a dot at sea. So we have to make a combined effort not only in the sea but as nations sharing information in a very efficient way. This is another way of achieving it," he added.

"The capability of the nations are also important because coalition, EU or NATO or whatever the independent deployers, they can't enter the territorial waters of any nation. Every nation should be able to control their territorial waters in terms of fighting against piracy. Blue ocean navies like Turkish Navy and other nations like this is possible to a certain extent," he added.

"If I may remind of the solution for sea piracy, maritime domain is just a part. However much we are doing our job at sea is just a part of the issue but the real solution is to assure them their living. The world community could find a solution for this for sure as people in Somali are living under poverty. It is very devastating," he added.

"My Prime Minister and our main opposition party leader is now in Somalia because we really have to address the situation there. Because helping the people is one of the ultimate aims of the Turkish Government and our grand stand strategy is to peace at home is peace at the world," Rear Admiral Ertugrul said.

The setting sun made us part with our Turkish naval friends with their pleasant words about the nation that they had visited after 112 years echoing in our mind, "When I go back from this nation what I will take back is peace, tranquillity and true friendship".