COLOMBO :Pakistan has trained nearly 1.000 Lankan naval officers,said Captain Muhammad Ali PN, Commanding Officer PNS SAIF which was docked in Colombo port on Wednesday, Jan 31
The captain was speaking at a dinner banquet hosted by the Pakistan navy in cooperation with the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo on Wednesday.
Acting High Commissioner of Pakistan Wajid Hassan Hashmi chaired the proceedings of the evening event. Hashmi also delivered the welcome address.
Among the guests were the speaker Mahinda Yapa Abeywardena, Minister Nimal Siripala De Silva , state minister for finance Shehan Semasinghe ,diplomats and members of the Pakistan as well as from local community
Pakistan Navy Ship “SAIF” arrived at Port of Colombo on Tuesday, 30th January, on a 3 day- goodwill visit from Pakistan.
The port call is part of strong multifaceted bilateral relationship and engagement between the defense establishments of the two countries, the Pakistan embassy said here on Tuesday.
PNS SAIF is the third ship of Sword Class Frigates (F22P) commissioned in Pakistan Navy on 15 September 2010 at Shanghai, China. This ship is a multi-mission frigate capable of operating independently or as part of a Task Force in Multi Threat Environment. It is equipped with state-of-the-Art Weapons & Sensors and indigenously developed Combat Management system. The Ship is capable to fight in Multi Threat Environment with Surface to Surface and Surface to Air missiles, Close-in Weapons System and Anti-Submarine torpedoes. It is capable of carrying ASW Helicopter, Z9EC, and has modern Navigational and Communication Systems onboard.
Upon arrival at Colombo, a traditional welcome was extended by Sri Lankan Navy (SLN).
During the stay at port, Captain Muhammad Ali, Commanding Officer of the ship called on senior naval officials from Sri Lanka Navy. A number of activities of mutual interest are planned between the two navies during the ship’s its stay in Sri Lanka, including a Passage Exercise with SL Navy on 1st February. PN officers and men will visit various Sri Lankan Navy units/ installations/ training facilities during the stay.
Sri Lanka and Pakistan enjoy brotherly relations, which have strengthened over the period of time. Such visits provide ample opportunities to Pakistan and Sri Lankan Naval officers and men to learn through professional interactions with their counterparts and to enhance interoperability and mutual coordination. Pix by Mohammed Saleem
