SLN’s largest naval exercise 'TRINEX' concludes successfully

The first- ever biggest naval exercise of the Sri Lanka Navy code-named TRINEX concluded successfully on April 4, 2014. Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage took the salute during the steam past held on the final phase of the exercise held in the seas off Trincomalee, while onboard the Navy’s Offshore Patrol Vessel Samudura.

SL Navy ships takes part in the exercise

Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colobage takes the salute

The Navy Commander and other officers observing the exercise

Sailors in action

During the briefing held at the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters, the Commander of the Navy commended the Sri Lanka Navy fleet units for their performance shown drawing on their experiences gained from the joint exercises such as Aman in Pakistan, SLINEX in home waters as well as in India, Dosti in a friendly neighbourhood and many passage exercises (PASSEXs) with visiting foreign naval ships. He stated that the fleet operations demonstrated their true caliber and provided the opportunity for assessment of our own capabilities and capacities.

TRINEX took place at a time when the Sri Lanka Navy fleet is looking to expand in our maritime jurisdiction with acquisitions of more Offshore Patrol Vessels and new additions.

That transformation needs to be demonstrated through competencies of the officers and their men. The victorious navy must maintain the professionalism achieved both in brown water and blue water operations, the Commander stressed.

He said that these are not isolated events but part of a broader strategic vision in enhancing our maritime capabilities and capacities in pursuing a long lost maritime heritage. Fleet manoeuvres are not just about keeping to formations; it’s about planning, delegating, executing orders, giving orders and many other facets of navigation, seamanship and traditions of a professional navy, emphasized the Commander in conclusion.

TRINEX commenced on April 1 to enhance the professionalism of the SLN fleet units and to provide training exposure to the Officer Under Trainees at the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA).

The exercise was held in the Eastern Naval Area under the direction of Commander Eastern Naval Area (COMEAST), Rear Admiral Rohan Amarasinghe and the supervision of Director General Naval Operations, Rear Admiral Neil Rosayro. It was coordinated by Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Fleet (FOCNF), Commodore Nimal Sarathsena. The exercise enabled the fleet units to rehearse and enhance own skills to gain from each other’s experience.

The four-day exercise was held in two phases consisting of harbour and sea training. It was structured to ensure maximum training value to the participants. The harbour training was focused on gaining theoretical knowledge and practical preparation for the exercise while Station Keeping By Distance Line (SKBDL), Jack Stay transfer, sea firing, Man Over Board (MOB) drills, visual & voice communication practice, towing and Visit Board Search and Seize (VBSS) were conducted during the exercise at sea.

SLN’s Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) SLNS ‘Samudura’ and SLNS ‘Sagara’, Fast Missile Vessels (FMVs) SLNS ‘Suranimala’ and SLNS ‘Nandimithra’, Landing Ship Tank (LST) SLNS ‘Shakthi, SLNS ‘Ranawickrama’, SLNS ‘Ranajaya’ and SLNS ‘Weeraya’ belonging to the 03rd Fast Gun Boat Squadron (FBG3) and 06 Fast Attack Craft (FACs) belonging to the 04th Fast Attack Craft Flotilla (FAF4) took part in the exercise, which concluded on the 04th.