SLNS Gajabahu sails for India to join inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise

Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Gajabahu departed the port of Colombo on 25 October 2026 for India to take part in the inaugural BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise.

The ship left amid a traditional naval farewell. The joint exercise involves naval forces and coast guards of India, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand, member states of the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC). Scheduled from 30 October to 3 November, it aims to enhance maritime domain awareness, build operational coordination across the Bay of Bengal region, and strengthen regional security cooperation.

Director General Operations Rear Admiral Chaminda Karunasena, Deputy Area Commander Western Naval Area Commodore Aruna Wijayawardhana and Director Naval Operations Commodore Athula Jayaweera were present at the departure from Colombo. Commanding Officer SLNS Gajabahu Captain Ashoka Weerasekara presented a memento to the Director General Operations.