Colombo has welcomed the Indian submarine INS Vela, which arrived on a three-day official visit on Sunday. The Indian High Commission confirmed the submarine’s arrival, marking a significant moment for maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka.
INS Vela, which measures 67.5 meters in length and accommodates a crew of 53, is commanded by Commander Kapil Kumar. This submarine is part of the indigenous Kalvari-class of diesel-electric submarines and was commissioned into the Indian Navy on November 25, 2021.
During its stay in Colombo, the crew of INS Vela is set to engage in various activities organized by the Sri Lanka Navy, aimed at fostering camaraderie between the two naval forces. The Sri Lankan Navy expressed that its personnel would visit the submarine for an awareness program to learn about its operational capabilities. Additionally, members of the submarine crew will have the opportunity to explore various tourist attractions across the island nation.
The visit is categorized as an Operational Turn Around (OTR), primarily intended for the replenishment of provisions for the submarine. The Indian embassy emphasized that this visit highlights the ongoing maritime cooperation between India and Sri Lanka and aligns with India’s broader ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy, as well as the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’—an abbreviation that stands for “Security and Growth for all in the Region.”
In a show of goodwill, Commander Kapil Kumar is expected to meet with Rear Admiral WDCU Kumarasinghe, the Commander of the Western Naval Area, at the Western Naval Headquarters. The crew’s engagement with the Sri Lankan Navy extends to sporting activities, including a basketball match scheduled to take place between the submarine crew and personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy at the Sri Lanka Naval Base in Welisara.
INS Vela is scheduled to depart Sri Lankan waters on November 13, concluding its visit and further cementing ties between the two maritime nations.
