The Offshore Patrol Vessel P-627 – the most recent addition to the Sri Lanka Navy fleet acquired from the United States (U.S.) Coast Guard – was commissioned as ‘Vijayabahu’ under the patronage of President Ranil Wickremesinghe today (Nov. 22).
The ceremony was held at the Colombo Port.
The Vessel P-627 began her home-bound journey from the Port of Seattle on September 03, 2022, and arrived in Colombo on November 02 after a sea passage of about 10,656 nautical miles (19,734 km).
The President as the Chief Guest was accorded a Guard of Honour by the Sri Lanka Navy. He boarded the, SLNS Vijayabahu accompanied by Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenna and unveiled the ship’s name board.
Following a tour onboard, the President unveiled the plaque and a memento was presented to the President by the Navy Commander.
Following a cultural show at the ceremonial sunset, President Wickremesinghe and other dignitaries posed a group photograph.
P-627, the second ‘Hamilton Class High Endurance Cutter’, received by SL Navy, measures 115m in length and is capable of reaching a maximum speed of 29 knots with 14,000 nautical miles of endurance at cruising speed.
Further, it has been designed for 187 crew members and is equipped with modern weapons and machinery that suit SL Navy’s operational requirements.
During its stint with the U.S. Coast Guard the ship has rendered an exceptional service by curbing illegal fishing, illegal immigration and seizure of a large quantity of narcotics in U.S. waters.
Upon taking charge of the ship, the initial crew of about 130 naval personnel under the supervision of the Commanding Officer designate of P 627, underwent training and engaged in acquisition formalities, maintenance, scheduled repairs and installations to suit the operational needs of the SL Navy, for about 10 months. Soon after training and modernization work, the P 627 began her home-bound journey on September 03, 2022.
U.S. ambassador to Sri Lanka, Julie Chung; Chief of Staff to the President and Senior Advisor on National Security, Sagala Ratnayaka; Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne; Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage; Air Force Commander Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana; and Inspector-General of Police C.D. Wickremeratne were also present at the occasion.
