ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Navy’s war ship SAIF with embarked Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) helicopter Z9EC visited the Port Colombo in Sri Lanka from November 5 to 8 for goodwill-cum-training visit.
Upon arrival at Colombo, a warm welcome was given by Sri Lankan Navy (SLN), said a news release issued here by Public Relations Directorate of the Pakistan Navy.
During stay at the port, SAIF Commanding Officer Captain Shahzad Iqbal called on senior naval officials from SLN, including their Commander Admiral SS Ranasinghe, Rear Admiral Niraja Attygalle, Rear Admiral KKVPH De Silva as well as other high ranking officials.
During the three days stay at the port, PN officers and men visited different Sri Lankan Navy units, installations, training facilities. The ship also participated in bilateral naval exercises with the Sri Lankan Navy Ship SLNS SAYURA on completion of port visit.
Pakistan and Sri Lanka enjoy brotherly relations, which have further strengthened over the years. During emergency situation in Sri Lanka in May this year in the aftermath of flash floods and land sliding due to torrential rains, another PNS ZULFIQUAR was immediately dispatched by the Pakistan government for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) mission.
The timely assistance rendered by the ship was highly praised by the Sri Lankan government and widely acknowledged in their local media. The PNS SAIF is frontline warship of the Pakistan Navy fleet, fitted with state-of-the-art weapons and sensors and is capable of undertaking all types of maritime operations in multi threat environment.
The visit provided ample opportunity to Pakistan and SLN officers and men to learn through professional interactions with their counterparts and enhance interoperability and mutual coordination.
