Colombo:Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Gajabahu set sail today for India to participate in the inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise. The departure took place from the port of Colombo, marked by a traditional naval farewell.

According to Ministry of Defence – Sri Lanka, the exercise will involve the naval forces and coast guards of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand, who are member states of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). The event is scheduled from 30 October to 3 November and aims to enhance maritime domain awareness, build operational coordination across the Bay of Bengal region, and strengthen regional security cooperation.

Present at the departure were Director General Operations Rear Admiral Chaminda Karunasena, Deputy Area Commander Western Naval Area Commodore Aruna Wijayawardhana, and Director Naval Operations Commodore Athula Jayaweera. On this occasion, Commanding Officer SLNS Gajabahu Captain Ashoka Weerasekara presented a memento to the Director General Operations.