By Sitaram Mewati
Indian Naval Ship Sharda, a Sukanya-class Offshore Patrol Vessel, will visit Colombo from June 10 to 13, 2026 for Operational Turnaround (OTR) and transshipment of stores from the Indian Army intended for the Sri Lanka Army’s deployment in a United Nations mission.
The items will be formally handed over during a ceremony scheduled at the Ministry of Defence on June 16, 2026, underscoring ongoing defence cooperation between the two neighbouring countries.
On arrival, the Commanding Officer of the ship, Commander Kartik Sachdeva, is expected to call on the Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral S.J. Kumara. The ship’s crew will also engage in professional and sports interactions with personnel of the Sri Lanka Navy, further strengthening naval-to-naval engagement.
In the run-up to the International Day of Yoga, a joint yoga session is also planned for Indian Navy crew members and Sri Lanka Navy personnel, highlighting the benefits of yoga for physical, mental and spiritual well-being.
Such port calls by Indian Navy vessels to Sri Lanka are aimed at reinforcing the strong maritime partnership between the two friendly navies. The visit aligns with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the vision of MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions), reflecting continued efforts to enhance regional security cooperation and maritime collaboration in the Indian Ocean region.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
