21 August,2025 08:30 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The exercise was conducted in two phases. Pic/Defence PRO
The 12th edition of the India-Sri Lanka naval exercise, SLINEX-25, concluded in Colombo, an official statement said on Thursday.
The edition saw the participation of Indian naval ships INS Jyoti and INS Rana from the Eastern Fleet and Sri Lankan Naval Ships SLNS Gajabahu and SLNS Vijayabahu (both Advance Offshore Patrol Vessels).
According to the statement, upon arriving at the Port of Colombo, the commanding officers of the Indian ships met with Rear Admiral Chandima Silva, Commander of the Western Naval Area. They discussed ways to boost naval cooperation and exchanged best practices. The officers also paid tribute at the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF) Memorial to honour Indian soldiers who lost their lives during peacekeeping missions in Sri Lanka between 1987 and 1990.
As part of the visit, the Indian Navy ships were opened to the public. Visitors included Sri Lankan Navy officers, government officials, students, and members of the Indian community in Sri Lanka.
"The initiative offered a unique opportunity to showcase the operational capabilities, technological advancements, and rich naval traditions of the Indian Navy," the statement said, adding that further, the initiative served to deepen mutual understanding, promote maritime diplomacy, and strengthen people-to-people connections between India and Sri Lanka.
It said that the exercise was conducted in two phases, the harbour phase at Colombo from August 14 to 16, 2025 and the sea phase from August 17 to 18.
The activities conducted during the harbour phase included professional interactions, exchange of Best Practices, reciprocal training on firefighting, damage control, aviation operations and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), friendly sports competitions and a pre-sail conference.
The sea phase saw the successful execution of a wide range of advanced naval drills that included joint exercises, gunnery firing serials, communication protocols, navigation, as well as seamanship evolutions, Visit Board Search and Seizure (VBSS), and fueling.
"These meticulously planned operations significantly enhance interoperability, bolsters tactical capabilities and reaffirms the shared commitment to ensuring maritime security and stability," the official statement said on Thursday.
The deployment of Indian naval ships to Sri Lanka served as another chapter in the growing India-Sri Lanka maritime partnership, it said.
