SLCGS ‘JAYESAGARA” PROUDLY JOINS SLCG FLEET
The Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil commissioned an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard this morning at the Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee. On January 3, 2022, the Sri Lanka Navy gave this OPV to the Sri Lanka Coast Guard at Galle harbor. Today, she was named “SLCGS Jayesagara” and put into service.
At the event were also the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, RSP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, and the Commander of the Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne, RSP, USP, psc.
When the Chief Guest arrived at the Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee, he was met by the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Anura Ekanayake RSP**, USP, psc. Coastguardsmen also gave him a Guard of Honour. After that, the Secretary of the Ministry of Defence gave the Commissioning Warrant to the Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander (ND) Mahanama Thilakarathne. He then read it while religious leaders gave their blessings. Later, the Secretary of the Ministry of Defense came aboard the ship and showed off the name board and crest.
The Secretary of the Ministry of Defense went to the ship “SLCGS Jayesagara” with the Commander of the Navy and the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard to check it out. The ship’s Navigation Officer told the Secretary of the Ministry of Defense about the ship’s features and how it works. To mark the event, the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy gave a gift to the Secretary of the Ministry of Defense.
The SLCGS Jayesagara is 39.8 meters long and 7 meters wide, and it can carry 313 tons. With a crew of 10 officers and 68 sailors, the ship can go at a cruising speed of 7 knots for 3,200 nautical miles. The ship was part of the Sri Lanka Navy for almost 40 years. It played a big role in the Humanitarian Operation and in stopping illegal activities in Sri Lankan waters.
At the Commissioning Ceremony, there were also members of the Maha Sangha and other religious groups, diplomats, senior officers of the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard, distinguished guests, and a large number of Naval and Coastguard personnel. (SL Navy)
