Three Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy warships; “HE FEI”, “WUZHISHAN” and “QILIANSHAN” have arrived at the Colombo Port on a formal visit this morning (Aug 26).
The visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in compliance with naval traditions, Sri Lanka Navy said.
The “HE FEI” is a 144.50-meter-long destroyer, crewed by 267 personnel under the command of Captain Chen Junfeng. The “WUZHISHAN” is a 210-meter-long Landing Platform Dock, manned by 872 crew members and commanded by Captain Fei Zhang. Similarly, the “QILIANSHAN” is a 210-meter-long Landing Platform Dock, with 334 crew members under the command of Captain Xiong Binghon, according to Sri Lanka Navy.
The Commanding Officers of the trio of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy warships are scheduled to call on the Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe at the Western Naval Command Headquarters today.
To strengthen the camaraderie between the two navies, crew members of these ships are set to participate in a series of programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy as well the statement said.
In addition, crew members of the ships will explore some of the tourist attractions of the country, during their stay in Colombo. Additionally, Sri Lanka Navy personnel will have the opportunity to participate in briefings on the operational functions of the ships as well.
Concluding the formal visit, the trio of Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy warships will depart the island on August 29, after a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with a Sri Lanka Navy ship off the coast of Colombo.
In the meantime, the Indian Naval Ship (INS) Mumbai has also arrived at the port of Colombo on a formal visit this morning, the navy said.
INS Mumbai is a 163-metre-long Destroyer which is manned by a crew of 410. The ship is commanded by Captain Sandeep Kumar. He called on the Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe at the Western Naval Command Headquarters today.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, its crew members will visit some of the tourist attractions of the country. Meanwhile, a briefing on the operational functions of the ship will be conducted aboard INS Mumbai for Sri Lanka Navy personnel.
INS Mumbai is also set to depart Colombo on August 29, before which it will engage in a Passage Exercise (PASSEX) with a Sri Lanka Navy ship off the coast of Colombo.
