Indian Naval Ship Kuthar, an indigenously built Khukri class Corvette arrived Colombo port on 03 March 2025 for three days visit. The ship was welcomed in a traditional manner with the tunes of Sri Lankan Navy band and the officers. On arrival, the Commanding Officer of the Ship, Commander Nitin Sharma called on the Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral MHCJ Silva.
In a ceremony onboard, the ship formally handed over a refilled cylinder of Fire-fighting system, an essential component of major safety system installed on the Sri Lanka Coast Guard Ship Suraksha. It may be recalled that SLCGS Suraksha is an Offshore Patrol Vessel transferred to Sri Lanka by Government of India in October 2017. India has also donated spare parts for the ship earlier in June 2021, April 2022 and June 2024 and also provided similar assistance in refilling of cylinders in January 2024.
During the stay in Colombo, INS Kuthar will conduct Professional Interaction onboard for Sri Lanka Navy personnel aimed at sharing best practices between both the Navies. Further demonstration on VBSS (Visit Board Search and Seizure) and Force Protection operations will be conducted by Sri Lanka Navy for the ship’s personnel. The ship will also undertake sports fixtures and Yoga with SLN.
The visit of the Indian Naval Ship Kuthar is also significant in view of the potential for cooperation between India and Sri Lanka for augmenting capabilities of Sri Lanka Navy for efficiently addressing shared challenges of maritime security in the region. The ship is scheduled to depart on 06 March 2025.
It may be recalled that last visit was by Indian Coast Guard Ships (ICGS) Vaibhav and Abhiraj to Colombo and Galle from 23 December 2024 – 02 January 2025. Visits by Indian Navy and Coast Guard vessels to Sri Lanka aims to foster camaraderie and interoperability between the two friendly Navies and Coast Guards, which is keeping with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and Hon. Prime Minister’s Vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region).
