Pakistan Navy (PN) Ships Nasr A-47) and Saif (FFG-253) undertook a port visit to Colombo, Sri Lanka, during their overseas deployment to south east asian countries. The Pakistan Navy flotilla is being commanded by Commodore Zakaur Rehman, Commander 25th Destroyer Squadron.
Upon arrival at Colombo, PN ships were received by the Commander of Operations of Western Naval Base of the Sri Lankan Navy and the Defence Attaché of Pakistan to Sri Lanka. A large number of Sri Lankan Navy officers were also present on the occasion. A band welcomed the ships with tunes including Pakistani national songs.
The mission commander along with the commanding officers of both ships called on Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle and Chief of Sri Lankan Navy Staff Rear Admiral S S Ranasinghe. A reception dinner was also hosted by the mission commander onboard PNS Nasr.
On the culmination of the port visit, the PN flotilla conducted exercises with Sri Lankan Navy Ships Sagara (P-622) and Suranimila (P-702) in the Indian Ocean for the purpose of enhancing interoperability and operational coordination between the two navies.
Pakistan Navy enjoys very warm and cordial relations with the Sri Lankan Navy. The Sri Lankan Naval Chief recently visited Pakistan to witness Multinational Naval Exercise AMAN 17 hosted by Pakistan Navy, wherein ships of the Sri Lankan Navy also actively participated.
It is expected that the recent visit by PN ships to Sri Lanka will further strengthen bilateral relations and naval collaboration between both the navies.
