"SLCGS JAYESAGARA" PROUDLY JOINS SLCG FLEET

An Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard received her commission from the Secretary, Ministry of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil during the Commissioning Ceremony held at the Naval Dockyard, Trincomalee today morning. Sri Lanka Navy handed over this OPV to Sri Lanka Coast Guard on 03^rd January 2022 at Galle harbour and she was commissioned today as 'SLCGS Jayesagara'.

The Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, RSP*, VSV, USP, ndc, psc and Commander Eastern Naval Area Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne RSP*, USP, psc were also present at the occasion.

The Secretary, Ministry of Defence was received by the Director General Sri Lanka Coast Guard and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Navy Rear Admiral Anura Ekanayake RSP**, USP, psc upon the arrival of the Chief Guest at the Naval Dockyard, Trincomalee and was accorded a Guard of Honour by Coastguardsmen. Subsequently, the Secretary, Ministry of Defence formally handed over the Commissioning Warrant to the Commanding Officer of the ship Commander (ND) Mahanama Thilakarathne, which was then read by him amidst the blessings of the religious dignitaries present at the occasion. Later the Secretary, Ministry of Defence visited onboard the ship and unveiled the ship's name board and the crest.

The Secretary, Ministry of Defence accompanied by the Commander of the Navy and the Director General Sri Lanka Coast Guard made an inspection visit of the ship, "SLCGS Jayesagara". The Navigation Officer briefed the Secretary, Ministry of Defence on the features of the ship and operational aspects of the ship. The Director General Sri Lanka Coast Guard and the Deputy Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Navy also presented a memento to the Secretary, Ministry of Defence to mark the occasion.

The SLCGS Jayesagara, with a displacement of 313 tons, is 39.8m in length and 7.0m in breadth. Manned by a crew of 10 officers and 68 sailors, the vessel can cover 3,200 nautical miles maintaining a cruising speed of 7 knots. The vessel served in the Sri Lanka Navy for nearly four decades and made a significant contribution during the Humanitarian Operation and countering illegal activities in Sri Lankan Waters.

Members of the Maha Sangha and other religious denominations, members of the diplomatic corps, senior officers of the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Coast Guard, distinguished invitees and a large number of Naval and Coastguard personnel were also present at the Commissioning Ceremony.