SLINEX 2015 ends today

SLINEX 2015, the fourth edition of the joint Naval exercise by the Sri Lanka Navy and the Indian Navy since 2005 will come to an end today (November 1) in the sea off Trincomalee.

The exercise was aimed at strengthening the ties between the two neighbouring Navies and improving the inter-operability of the two navies in an event of a disaster.

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne told the Sunday Observers, the joint naval exercise gave an opportunity for the two navies to check their inter-operability of using available equipment.

"This was particularly important for the two navies to act jointly in an event of a disaster and disaster relief operations," the Navy Commander added.

The concluding ceremony of the joint naval exercise will be held today (November 1) with the participation of the Defence Secretary Karunasena Hettiarachchi, Chief of Defence Staff and the three forces commanders.

Defence Advisor to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Captain Prakash Gopalan will participate in the closing ceremony representing India. The joint naval exercise commenced on October 27 in Trincomalee with a harbour Phase, during which, the participants engaged in professional, cultural and social interactions and it was followed by the sea phase commencing from October 30.

- RW