Sri Lankan Navy
Encyclopedia
The Beginning and World War II
In January 1938 the Ceylon Naval Volunteer Force (CNVF) was created with Commander W.G. Beauchamp as Commanding OfficerCommanding officer
The commanding officer is the officer in command of a military unit. Typically, the commanding officer has ultimate authority over the unit, and is usually given wide latitude to run the unit as he sees fit, within the bounds of military law...
under ordinance No I of 1937. On 31 August 1939 at the out set of World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the CNVF was mobilized for war duties. Three years later, the CNVF was offered to, and accepted by the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
(RN) as a Volunteer Reserve
Military reserve force
A military reserve force is a military organization composed of citizens of a country who combine a military role or career with a civilian career. They are not normally kept under arms and their main role is to be available to fight when a nation mobilizes for total war or to defend against invasion...
, the Ceylon Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (CRNVR). It continued under Royal Navy operational and administrative command until March 1946. With the end of the war, it reverted to Ceylon Government control, though yet CRNVR in name. In the 1939-1946 period, the CRNVR carried out several operational duties, mainly at sea. Cutting its teeth on the Port Commission tugs Samson and Goliath, it later manned and operated trawlers and Antarctic whalers converted as Minesweepers
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
and fitted out with guns, submarine detection equipment and anti-submarine weaponry. They were the HMS Overdale Wyke (the first ship to be purchased by the Government of Ceylon), HMS Okapi, HMS Semla, HMS Sambhur, HMS Hoxa, HMS Balta and HM Tugs Barnet and C 405. In addition the CRNVR manned several Motor Fishing Vessels (MFV), Harbour Defence Motor Launch
Harbour Defence Motor Launch
The Harbour Defence Motor Launch was a British small motor vessel of the Second World War.The HDML was designed by W J Holt at the Admiralty in early 1939. During the war, 486 HDMLs were constructed, mainly by yacht builders, in the United Kingdom and a number of other allied countries...
(HDML) and miscellaneous auxiliary vessels. All were manned exclusively by CRNVR personnel. These ships were meant to sweep and guard the approaches the harbors but were often used on extended missions outside Ceylon waters. In the course of these operations, the ships came under enemy fire, recovered essential information
Essential Information
Founded in 1982 by Ralph Nader, Essential Information is a non-profit organization involved in a variety of projects to encourage citizens to become active and engaged in their communities...
from Japanese aircraft that where shot down, sailed to Akyab after the Burma front was opened in two FMVs for harbour duties, and was called upon to accept the surrender of the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
light cruiser
Light cruiser
A light cruiser is a type of small- or medium-sized warship. The term is a shortening of the phrase "light armored cruiser", describing a small ship that carried armor in the same way as an armored cruiser: a protective belt and deck...
Eritrea and escort her to the Colombo port with a prize crew on board.
Royal Ceylon Navy
Island nation
An island country is a state whose primary territory consists of one or more islands or parts of islands. As of 2011, 47 of the 193 UN member states are island countries.-Politics:...
should possess a strong navy to be its first line of defense. Therefore on 9 December 1950 the Royal Ceylon Navy was created with Ceylon Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve forming the nucleus. The first warship was commissioned HMCyS Vijaya
HMCyS Vijaya
HMCyS Vijaya, named in honor of Vijaya, the first king of Sri Lanka, was an of the Royal Ceylon Navy, the first warship of that navy. Vijaya had been built as HMS Flying Fish for the Royal Navy during World War II, but was given to Ceylon by the United Kingdom upon the 1951 formation of Ceylon's...
, an Algerian class Minesweeper, ex-HMS Flying Fish along with other patrol boat
Patrol boat
A patrol boat is a relatively small naval vessel generally designed for coastal defense duties.There have been many designs for patrol boats. They may be operated by a nation's navy, coast guard, or police force, and may be intended for marine and/or estuarine or river environments...
s and tugs. Later the fleet was expanded with, HMCyS Parakram another Algerian class Minesweeper (ex-HMS Pickle), two Canadian built "River" class Frigates HMCyS Mahasena (ex-HMCS Violetta, Orkney and ex-Israeli ship Mivtach), HMCyS Gajabahu
SLNS Gajabahu
SLNS Gajabahu was a River class frigate of the Sri Lanka Navy. She has since been converted to a training ship for the Naval & Maritime Academy, Trincomalee.-History:...
(ex-HMCS Hallowell, ex-Israeli Misnak) and Ocean going Tug(ex-HMS Adept). During this time the navy took part in several joint naval exercises and a goodwill mission to the far east. However the expansion of the navy was dramatically halted in 1962 when the captain of the navy
Commander of the Navy (Sri Lanka)
The Commander of the Navy is the professional head of the Sri Lanka Navy. The current Commander of the Navy is Vice Admiral D.W.S. Dissanayake...
who was relieved of command at the time was implicated in an attempted military coup
Attempted military coup in Ceylon, 1962
The 1962 Ceylonese coup d'état attempt was a failed military coup planned in Sri Lanka . Several Christian senior military and policy officers planned to topple the democratically elected government of Prime Minister Mrs...
. The navy suffered a great deal as result of the governments retribution that followed, with several of its ships sold off, reduced its size by stoppage of recruitment of officers cadets and sailors for over seven years, the loss of important bases and barracks and the stoppage of training in England. As a result in 1971 the navy was poorly equipped and short of personal when the 1971 JVP Insurrection broke-out. SLN was not capable of putting ships to sea due to a lack of sea going units and the navy being called mount shore duty initially to defended ports and thereafter offensive combat operations against the insurgents. During the insurrection navy suffered its first combat casualties went on to man detonation centers to rehabilitate surrendered insurgents after it was crushed in a few months. Sri Lanka however had to relay on the Indian Navy
Indian Navy
The Indian Navy is the naval branch of the armed forces of India. The President of India serves as the Commander-in-Chief of the Navy. The Chief of Naval Staff , usually a four-star officer in the rank of Admiral, commands the Navy...
to established a exclusion zone around the island.
Navy of the Republic
Based on its experiences in the late 1970s the navy began rebuilding its strength with the gift of Shershen class torpedo boat
Shershen class torpedo boat
The Shershen class was the NATO reporting name for a class of torpedo boats built for the Soviet Navy and allies. The Soviet designation was Project 206 Shtorm.-Design:...
s from the USSR and acquisition of Shanghai class
Type 062 class gunboat
The Type 062 class gunboat is a class of gunboats of the People's Republic of China's People's Liberation Army Navy. Successor to the Shantou class gunboat, it is also known by its NATO reporting name Shanghai-I and Shanghai-II. The class is larger than its predecessor and is the most widely built...
fast gun boats form China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
to carry out effective coastal patrolling and carried out several cruises to regional ports. New bases were established to counter smuggling operations in the coastal areas.
Recent years
At the begin of the civil war in the 1980s the navy found itself poorly equipped to face the new threats the LTTE created. But this was soon over come by increasing the fleet of patrol boats and the introduction of fast attack crafts. These proved highly successful in limiting the LTTE’s use of the seas. The weapon systems on these were upgraded with time as the sea tigersSea Tigers
The Sea Tigers was the naval wing of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam during the Sri Lankan Civil War. It was founded in 1984. The Sea Tigers had a number of small but effective suicide bomber vessels. During its existence it had gained a reputation as a capable adversary for the Sri Lankan Navy...
resorted to using sophisticated suicide crafts against naval crafts. In addition two locally build Jayasagara class
Jayasagara class patrol craft
The Jayasagara class is a class of Offshore patrol vessels that are part of the Sri Lankan Navy and have been locally built.-History:Built by Colombo Dockyard Limited for the Sri Lankan Navy in the early 1980s, these were the first warships built in Sri Lanka in modern times...
Off Shore Patrol Craft added to the fleet to carry out anti-smuggling operations and coastal surveillance.
During this time the navy took part in its first amphibious operation
Amphibious warfare
Amphibious warfare is the use of naval firepower, logistics and strategy to project military power ashore. In previous eras it stood as the primary method of delivering troops to non-contiguous enemy-held terrain...
in its history. The size of the force along with the fleet increased in the years of war. In the early 80’s a land combat force was created witch at first limited itself to base defense and as its numbers increased took part in offensive operations against the LTTE along with the Sri Lankan Army. An elite naval special forces unit called the Special Boat Squadron
Special Boat Squadron
The Special Boat Squadron is the Sri Lanka Navy's elite special forces unit. It forms part of the Sri Lanka Special Forces, alongside the Commando Regiment , Special Forces Regiment, and SLAF Special Forces...
was created in the late 80’s based on the British Special Boat Service
Special Boat Service
The Special Boat Service is the special forces unit of the British Royal Navy. Together with the Special Air Service, Special Reconnaissance Regiment and the Special Forces Support Group they form the United Kingdom Special Forces and come under joint control of the same Director Special...
. In early 90's the SLN carried out injunction with the army its first amphibious operation code named Operation Sea Breeze followed by the lager Operation Balavegaya
Operation Balavegaya
Operation Balavegaya was a combined military operation launched by the Sri Lankan Military in Jaffna. It was the largest amphibious assault launched by the Sri Lankan Military in its history. Operation Balavegaya was launched in response to siege of Elephant Pass by the LTTE terrorists...
an year later and on the seas it began an aggressive clamp down on LTTE actives including gunrunning. It was during this time in 1992 Admiral
Admiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
W.W.E.Clancy Fernando
Clancy Fernando
Admiral Wannakuwatta Waduge Erwin Clancy Fernando VSV, USP, MSc, ndc, psc, MNI, SLN was the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy from 1 November 1991 - 16 November 1992...
, the commander of the navy was assassinated by a suicide bomb attack by the LTTE.
During the late part of the 1990s the navy expanded its fleet of patrol boats to counter sea tiger crafts and intercept arms shipments destine for the tigers within Sri Lankan tensorial waters. In 2000 the Navy started a fleet air arm
Fleet Air Arm
The Fleet Air Arm is the branch of the British Royal Navy responsible for the operation of naval aircraft. The Fleet Air Arm currently operates the AgustaWestland Merlin, Westland Sea King and Westland Lynx helicopters...
(FAA) by acquiring a HAL Chetak from India to expand its surveillance capability by operating from newly acquired Offshore Patrol Vessels. During the same time conventional warfare
Conventional warfare
Conventional warfare is a form of warfare conducted byusing conventional military weapons and battlefield tactics between two or more states in open confrontation. The forces on each side are well-defined, and fight using weapons that primarily target the opposing army...
capability was increased by the addition of missile boats.
Following the resumptions of hostilities between the government of Sri Lanka and the LTTE since early 2006, the navy took up an active role in limiting the LTTE's use of the seas. This resulted in several major sea battles curring the course of 2006, 2007 and 2009. Most significant of the events during this time were the interception and sinking of several large cargo ships that were bringing illegal arms shipments
Gunrunning
Arms trafficking, also known as gunrunning, is the illegal trafficking or smuggling of contraband weapons or ammunition.The 1997 Report of the UN Panel of Governmental Experts on Small Arms provides a more refined and precise definition, which has become internationally accepted...
to the LTTE in the Indian Ocean
Indian Ocean
The Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
in international waters. These naval operations have proven the blue water
Blue Water
Blue Water was the Rainbow Code name for a British battlefield nuclear missile of the early 1960s. Despite its good performance and receiving wide praise, it is best known for having been cancelled for financial reasons.- Origins :...
capability of the Sri Lankan Navy. With the end of the Civil war, the navy has begun reorienting its self for the future defense of the island. This has led to force redeployments, training exercises and transfer of certain duties to the newly formed Sri Lanka Coast Guard
Sri Lanka Coast Guard
The Sri Lanka Coast Guard, officially the Department of Coast Guard, is a Sri Lankan non-ministerial government department tasked with Coast guard duties within the territorial waters of Sri Lanka. It comes under the purview of the Ministry of Defence and be staffed by civilian personal...
.
During the war the navy, along with the army developed its own weapons development programs to produce and maintain weapon systems suited for indigenous requirements in collaboration with Colombo Dockyard.
Major combat operations
Apart from continued deployments at sea the navy has played a significant role in supporting all major operations carried out by the Army including several amphibious operations.
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Eelam War IV Eelam War IV is the name given to the fourth phase of armed conflict between the Sri Lankan military and the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam, which is currently proscribed as a terrorist organisation by 32 countries . Renewed hostilities began on the July 26, 2006 when Sri Lanka Air... (2006–2009)
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Naval Headquarters
The professional head of the navy is the Commander of the Navy (C of N), at present Vice AdmiralVice Admiral
Vice admiral is a senior naval rank of a three-star flag officer, which is equivalent to lieutenant general in the other uniformed services. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral...
D.W.S. Dissanayake and reports directly to the Minister of Defence. The Commander of the Navy exercises operational and administrative control of the Navy from naval headquarters in SLNS Parakrama
SLNS Parakrama
SLNS Parakrama is a Sri Lanka Navy shore establishment sited on Flagstaff Street in Colombo, in close proximity to the Colombo Lighthouse. It functions as the naval headquarter of the Navy. In this capacity it has the offices of the Commander of the Navy, Chief of Staff, the Board of Management ...
, Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
. He is assisted by the Chief of Staff
Chief of Staff
The title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
(C of S), who along with Directors General and Directors comprise the Board of Management (BOM) and Board of Directors (BOD) of the Sri Lanka Navy.
Board of Management
The Board of Management consists of the five Directors General, who are of Rear-Admiral grade on appointment;
- Director General (Operations) - DG (O)
- Director General (Services) - DG (S)
- Director General (Engineering) - DG(E)
- Director General (Electrical & Electronics) - DG(L)
- Director General (Logistics) - DG (LOG)
- Director General (Health Services) - DG (HS)
Commands
The Navy has six commandsCommand (military formation)
A command in military terminology is an organisational unit that the individual in Military command has responsibility for. A Commander will normally be specifically appointed into the role in order to provide a legal framework for the authority bestowed...
known as Naval Area Commands, each under the control of a flag officer
Flag Officer
A flag officer is a commissioned officer in a nation's armed forces senior enough to be entitled to fly a flag to mark where the officer exercises command. The term usually refers to the senior officers in an English-speaking nation's navy, specifically those who hold any of the admiral ranks; in...
for effective command and administrative control. This is in order to efficiently maintain all ships, crafts and vehicles; and to ensure the operational readiness of commands and units each area shall have its own harbour/ base, repair and refitting facilities, signal centres, logistic, civil engineering and medical facilities.
Six Naval Area Commands (see image to the right)
- Northern Naval Area (NNA)
- North Central Naval Area (NCNA)
- North Western Naval Area (NWNA)
- Western Naval Area (WNA)
- Southern Naval Area (SNA)
- Eastern Naval Area (ENA)
Units
- 3rd Fast Gun Boats Squadron (3 FGS)
- 4th Fast Attack FlotillaFast Attack FlotillaThe 4th Fast Attack Flotilla is a force element flotilla of the Sri Lanka Navy. The flotilla's mission is to provide heavily armed and fast patrol boat capability to counter sea tiger movements along the coast and to protect naval and civilian shipping from sea tiger suicide crafts.-History:The...
(4 FAF) - 7th Surveillance Command Squadron
- Special Boat Squadron
- Rapid Action Boat SquadronRapid Action Boat SquadronThe Rapid Action Boat Squadron is a force element squadron of the Sri Lanka Navy that provides expertise in small boat operations in support of littoral operations, amphibious and riverine activities...
Branches
Sri Lanka Navy consists following branches to which personal are attached to;- Executive Branch
- Navigation and Direction
- Communications
- Gunnery
- Missiles
- Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASWAnti-submarine warfareAnti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
) - Diving
- Hydrography
- Engineering Branch
- Medical Branch
- Logistics Branch
- Electrical & Electronics Engineering Branch
- Naval Patrolman BranchNaval PatrolmenNaval Patrolmen Branch is a branch of the Sri Lanka Navy that performs the role of naval infantry. Effectively members of this branch are soldiers of the navy...
- Information Technology Branch
- Musical Branch
- Legal Branch
- Provost Branch
Current deployments
As of present, most of the Sri Lankan Navy is deployed for domestic defense with the end of combat operations, while foreign deployments are carried out from time to time.Domestic
Due to the Sri Lankan Civil WarSri Lankan civil war
The Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on July 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil...
the navy has been on a constant mobilized (including reservist
Reservist
A reservist is a person who is a member of a military reserve force. They are otherwise civilians, and in peacetime have careers outside the military. Reservists usually go for training on an annual basis to refresh their skills. This person is usually a former active-duty member of the armed...
) state since the 1980s (except for a brief period from 2002–2005). The majority of the naval units both at sea and ground based are deployed in the North and Eastern provinces of the country, as well as in other parts of the country. The security of all major ports of the country is the responsibility of the navy, due to terrorist activity.
Foreign
- HaitiHaitiHaiti , officially the Republic of Haiti , is a Caribbean country. It occupies the western, smaller portion of the island of Hispaniola, in the Greater Antillean archipelago, which it shares with the Dominican Republic. Ayiti was the indigenous Taíno or Amerindian name for the island...
- Since 2004 navy personal have been attached to the Sri Lankan contingent of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in HaitiUnited Nations Stabilization Mission in HaitiThe United Nations Stabilisation Mission In Haiti , also known as MINUSTAH, an acronym of the French translation, is a United Nations peacekeeping mission in Haiti that has been in operation since 2004. The mission's military component is led by the Brazilian Army and the force commander is...
. - Indian OceanIndian OceanThe Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
- In 2007 and 2008 the navy carried out anti-arms smuggling operations in international waters in the Indian OceanIndian OceanThe Indian Ocean is the third largest of the world's oceanic divisions, covering approximately 20% of the water on the Earth's surface. It is bounded on the north by the Indian Subcontinent and Arabian Peninsula ; on the west by eastern Africa; on the east by Indochina, the Sunda Islands, and...
, sinking 6 rogue merchant ships smuggling arms for the LTTE.
Training
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence UniversityGeneral Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University located at Kandawala, Ratmalana, Colombo, is a joint services academy where cadets of the three wings Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force are trained before they go for their pre-commission training to their academies...
(KDU) formed in 1981 and situated in Ratmalana, fourteen kilometers south of Colombo
Colombo
Colombo is the largest city of Sri Lanka. It is located on the west coast of the island and adjacent to Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, the capital of Sri Lanka. Colombo is often referred to as the capital of the country, since Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte is a satellite city of Colombo...
, is Sri Lanka's only university specializing in defense studies. Apart from postgraduate defense studies each year, approximately fifty cadets from all three services are admitted to the university (aged 18–22) to participate in a three-year program of under graduate studies.
Senior officers of the ranks of Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
and Commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
are given advanced training and education at the Defence Services Command and Staff College
Defence Services Command and Staff College
The Defence Services Command and Staff College is situated at Batalanda, Makola 12 Kilometers away from Colombo and its aim to develop the professional knowledge and understanding of experienced officers of the Sri Lanka Army, Sri Lanka Navy & the Sri Lanka Air Force to prepare them for the ranks...
(DSCSC) at Batalanda, Makola which was established in 1997 as the Army Command and Staff College. In addition KDU conducts Masters Of Science (Defence Studies) degree for the senior officers of Sri Lanka Navy.
Basic officer training is carried out at the Naval & Maritime Academy at the SLN Dockyard in Trincomalee
Trincomalee
Trincomalee is a port city in Eastern Province, Sri Lanka and lies on the east coast of the island, about 113 miles south of Jaffna. It has a population of approximately 100,000 . The city is built on a peninsula, which divides the inner and outer harbours. Overlooking the Kottiyar Bay,...
and short/specialized officer training is conducted at the SLNS Gemunu, Welisara. This training includes theoretical aspects covered at the training institute followed by a practical exposure on board the Sri Lanka Navy fleet at sea.
Basic training for new recruits (approximately six months) are conducted at Advanced Naval Training Center, SLNS 'Nipuna'; Naval Artificer Training Institute, SLNS 'Thakshila', Welisara; and at Naval Recruit Training Centres at several shore establishments . This basic training will be followed by on-the-job training on-board fleet units and at shore establishments. Combat Training School at SLNS 'Pandukabaya' conducts combat training for Naval Patrolmen.
Additional training is carried out in UK, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
, Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
Main training establishments,
- Naval & Maritime Academy - SLN Dockyard
- Advanced Naval Training Centre - SLNS Nipuna
- Naval Artificer Training Institute - SLNS Thakshila
- Naval Recruit Training Centre - SLNS Shiksha
- Naval Recruit Training Center/Combat Training School - SLNS Pandukabaya
Current Fleet
The Sri Lankan Naval fleetNaval fleet
A fleet, or naval fleet, is a large formation of warships, and the largest formation in any navy. A fleet at sea is the direct equivalent of an army on land....
consists of above fifty combat, support ships and inshore patrol crafts, with most originating from China, India, Israel and Sri Lanka.
Offshore Patrol Vessels
The Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV) are the largest warships of the Sri Lanka Navy. There are 5 OPVs in service of the SLN; SLNS SayuraSLNS Sayura
SLNS Sayura is the Flag ship and an Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Sri Lanka Navy.She was formerly, the INS Sarayu, a Sukanya class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy sold to Sri Lanka in 2000. She was upgraded with new armament in India before being delivered to the Sri Lanka Navy...
, SLNS Samudura
SLNS Samudura
SLNS Samudura is an Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Sri Lanka Navy. Formerly the USCGC Courageous of the United States Coast Guard, the medium endurance cutter was donated to Sri Lanka on June 24, 2004....
, SLNS Sagara
SLNS Sagara
SLNS Sagara is an Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Sri Lanka Navy. It was formerly the CGS Varaha , a Vikram class offshore patrol craft of the Indian Coast Guard, leased to Sri Lanka in 2007.-Operations:...
, SLNS Sayurala with all capable of operating naval helicopters and another the locally built SLNS Jayasagara
SLNS Jayasagara
SLNS Jayesagara is an Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Sri Lanka Navy. It was the lead ship of the locally built Jayasagara class...
. These ships are deployed in the high seas to carry out surveillance and interception of illegal arms smuggling and to monitor naval activity within the EEZ.
Fast Missile Vessels
The Fast Missile Vessels (FMV) were added to the SLN in 2001 when two IsraelIsrael
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
i Saar 4 class
Saar 4 class missile boat
The Saar 4 or Reshef class missile boats were built at the Israel Shipyards and based on Israeli Navy designs grounded in accumulated experience derived in the operation of "Cherbourg" class....
missile boat
Missile boat
A Missile Boat is a small craft armed with anti-ship missiles. Being a small craft, missile boats are popular with nations interested in forming an inexpensive navy...
s were acquired. These vessels which referred to as the Nandimithra class and equipped with Gabriel II
Gabriel missile
Gabriel missiles, created by Israel Aircraft Industries, are a range of anti-ship missiles that use the technique of sea-skimming.- Origin :...
anti-ship missiles, they increased the SLN's conventional warfare capability and provide a multi-role platform for different operations undertaken by the navy.
Fast Gun Boats
Fast Gun Boats (FGB) carry out a multi-role missions from coastal patrols to shore bombardment in support of amphibious operations. FGBs consist of ships from the Chinese Lushun class, Haizhui classType 062-I class gunboat
The Type 062-I class gunboat is the successor of the Shanghai-I/II class gunboats of the People's Republic of China's People's Liberation Army Navy. The class is consisted of two versions, the Haizhui class submarine chaser and the Shanghai-III gunboat...
and Shanghai II class
Type 062 class gunboat
The Type 062 class gunboat is a class of gunboats of the People's Republic of China's People's Liberation Army Navy. Successor to the Shantou class gunboat, it is also known by its NATO reporting name Shanghai-I and Shanghai-II. The class is larger than its predecessor and is the most widely built...
.
Fast Attack Craft
Fast Attack Craft (FAC) have proven to be the workhorse of the SLN in combating asymmetric warfare of the Sea Tigers of the LTTE in the coastal waters of Northern and Eastern parts of the island during the civil war. Attached to the 4th Fast Attack FlotillaFast Attack Flotilla
The 4th Fast Attack Flotilla is a force element flotilla of the Sri Lanka Navy. The flotilla's mission is to provide heavily armed and fast patrol boat capability to counter sea tiger movements along the coast and to protect naval and civilian shipping from sea tiger suicide crafts.-History:The...
these boats are about 25 meters in length, around 50 tons displacement, able to reach speeds of 45 knots and armed with rapid fire weapons. They were primarily deployed in offensive operations for the denial of sea, they were also used for defensive operations to prevent Sea Tiger suicide craft
Suicide attack
A suicide attack is a type of attack in which the attacker expects or intends to die in the process.- Historical :...
from attacking both naval and civilian ships by operating as escorts. There are several classes of FACs such as the locally built Colombo ultra fast class, the Israeli Super Dvora and Shaldag fast patrol boats, the British Chevron and the American Trinity Marine types.
Inshore Patrol Craft
Inshore Patrol Craft are small vessels (14 meters long) which are capable of operating inshore as well as for beaching. They are capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots and are used for small boat operationsSmall boat operations
Small boat operations in military and naval warfare refers to operations in and around the littoral zone, within a certain distance of shore, carried out by small but fast and highly maneuverable crafts. In recent years small unmanned systems have been tested for use in this kind of warfare.The...
, harbor defense and amphibious operations.
Littoral Attack Craft
Littoral Warfare Craft are small (7-meter long) and highly maneuverable ArrowArrow boat
Arrow is a series of fast patrol/assault speed boat made by the Sri Lanka Navy for use by its littoral warfare units, the elite Special Boat Squadron and the Rapid Action Boat Squadron . The boat is capable of achieving high speeds and is highly maneuverable, meeting the requirements of these...
class attack speedboats. They also have a high degree of firepower for vessels their size. Introduced in 2006, these boats are manufactured by the SLN's own boatyard and used by the elite Special Boat Squadron
Special Boat Squadron
The Special Boat Squadron is the Sri Lanka Navy's elite special forces unit. It forms part of the Sri Lanka Special Forces, alongside the Commando Regiment , Special Forces Regiment, and SLAF Special Forces...
(SBS) and the Rapid Action Boat Squadron
Rapid Action Boat Squadron
The Rapid Action Boat Squadron is a force element squadron of the Sri Lanka Navy that provides expertise in small boat operations in support of littoral operations, amphibious and riverine activities...
(RABS) for small boat operations
Small boat operations
Small boat operations in military and naval warfare refers to operations in and around the littoral zone, within a certain distance of shore, carried out by small but fast and highly maneuverable crafts. In recent years small unmanned systems have been tested for use in this kind of warfare.The...
.
Amphibious Warfare Vessels
The SLN has several vessels to support amphibious operations it carries out. These include Yuhai classType 074 landing ship medium
The Type 074 landing ship medium is a class of medium landing ship, of the People's Liberation Army Navy known by two different names, one of them is Yuhai class and the other is Wuhu-A class...
Tank landing ship
Tank landing ship
Landing Ship, Tank was the military designation for naval vessels created during World War II to support amphibious operations by carrying significant quantities of vehicles, cargo, and landing troops directly onto an unimproved shore....
SLNS Shathi; 29 M
29 M Landing Craft
The 29 M Landing Craft is a landing craft, utility developed by the Colombo Dockyard Limited for the Sri Lanka Navy. Two ships of this class have been built and both have been used in several amphibious operations....
utility landing craft
Landing Craft Utility
The Landing Craft Utility is a type of boat used by amphibious forces to transport equipment and troops to the shore. They are capable of transporting tracked or wheeled vehicles and troops from amphibious assault ships to beachheads or piers....
s (Locally built); Yunnan class
Type 067 landing craft utility
The Type 067 landing craft, utility , also known as Yunnan class, entered the People's Liberation Army Navy service from 1968 – 1972. This class is the enlarged version of Yuch'in class landing craft mechanized....
mechanized landing craft
Landing Craft Mechanized
The Landing Craft Mechanized or Landing Craft Mechanical was a landing craft designed for carrying vehicles. They came to prominence during the Second World War when they were used to land troops or tanks during Allied amphibious assaults....
s and an ABS M-10
ABS Hovercraft
ABS Hovercraft is a British hovercraft designer and producer, founded in the early 90's.-History:ABS Hovercraft researched the introduction of new materials to innovate Hovercraft technology....
Utility craft air cushion
Air-cushioned landing craft
An air cushioned landing craft, also called an LCAC is a modern variation on the amphibious landing boat. These craft are based on small- to mid-sized multi-purpose hovercraft, also known as "over the beach" craft...
.
Auxiliary Vessels
The Navy also has several auxiliary vesselAuxiliary ship
An auxiliary ship is a naval ship which is designed to operate in any number of roles supporting combatant ships and other naval operations. Auxiliaries are not primary combatants, although they may have some limited combat capacity, usually of a self defensive nature.Auxiliaries are extremely...
s such as fast personal carriers
Troopship
A troopship is a ship used to carry soldiers, either in peacetime or wartime...
and replenishment ships. Fast personnel carriers are catamaran
Catamaran
A catamaran is a type of multihulled boat or ship consisting of two hulls, or vakas, joined by some structure, the most basic being a frame, formed of akas...
s which were used for both troop and civilian transport, running the gauntlet of LTTE suicide craft. SLNs fleet of non-commissioned underway replenishment ships have been used recently for replenishment at sea
Underway replenishment
Underway replenishment or replenishment at sea is a method of transferring fuel, munitions, and stores from one ship to another while under way.-History:...
in international waters
International waters
The terms international waters or trans-boundary waters apply where any of the following types of bodies of water transcend international boundaries: oceans, large marine ecosystems, enclosed or semi-enclosed regional seas and estuaries, rivers, lakes, groundwater systems , and wetlands.Oceans,...
.
Equipment
- GabrielGabriel missileGabriel missiles, created by Israel Aircraft Industries, are a range of anti-ship missiles that use the technique of sea-skimming.- Origin :...
- Anti-ship missile - TyphoonTyphoon Weapon SystemThe Typhoon is a type of remote weapon station manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel, and it shares similar design principles and common technologies with Samson Remote Controlled Weapon Station , a land-based system manufactured by the same developer...
- Naval Optronic Stabilized Weapon Platforms - M242 BushmasterM242 BushmasterThe M242 Bushmaster is a 25 mm chain-fed autocannon. It is used extensively by the US armed forces, as well as by NATO's and some other nations' forces in ground combat vehicles and watercraft...
- 25 mm25 mm caliberThe 25x137 mm caliber/.98425 inch is one of the standard sizes of cannon and autocannon ammunition for NATO forces. The round itself has a length of approximately 223 mm .-Usage:...
(25x137mm) chain-fedChain gunA chain gun is a type of machine gun or autocannon that uses an external source of power, rather than diverting energy from the cartridge, to cycle the weapon, and does so via a continuous loop of chain similar to that used on a motorcycle or bicycle. "Chain gun" is a registered trademark of...
autocannonAutocannonAn autocannon or automatic cannon is a rapid-fire projectile weapon firing a shell as opposed to the bullet fired by a machine gun. Autocannons often have a larger caliber than a machine gun . Usually, autocannons are smaller than a field gun or other artillery, and are mechanically loaded for a...
Fleet Air Arm
With offshore patrol vessels (OPVs) in its fleet since 2001, when SLNS SayuraSLNS Sayura
SLNS Sayura is the Flag ship and an Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Sri Lanka Navy.She was formerly, the INS Sarayu, a Sukanya class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy sold to Sri Lanka in 2000. She was upgraded with new armament in India before being delivered to the Sri Lanka Navy...
was commissioned, the navy has been considering the development of a fleet air arm to operate from these vessels. Two types of helicopters are being tested for this role:
- HAL Chetak
- HH-65 DolphinHH-65 DolphinThe Eurocopter HH-65 Dolphin is a twin-engined, single main rotor, MEDEVAC-capable Search and Rescue helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard...
Special Forces
The navy has its own elite special forcesSpecial forces
Special forces, or special operations forces are terms used to describe elite military tactical teams trained to perform high-risk dangerous missions that conventional units cannot perform...
unit, the Special Boat Squadron
Special Boat Squadron
The Special Boat Squadron is the Sri Lanka Navy's elite special forces unit. It forms part of the Sri Lanka Special Forces, alongside the Commando Regiment , Special Forces Regiment, and SLAF Special Forces...
. Established in the 1980s SBS was modeled after the Special Boat Service
Special Boat Service
The Special Boat Service is the special forces unit of the British Royal Navy. Together with the Special Air Service, Special Reconnaissance Regiment and the Special Forces Support Group they form the United Kingdom Special Forces and come under joint control of the same Director Special...
of the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
.
It has roles in naval special operations such as amphibious raids, Maritime Counter-Terrorism, Reconnaissance and target indication, combat swimmer missions and small boat operations. As a Special Forces unit, its role is not limited to water-borne operations. It also conducts operations on land, either with ground combat units of the Navy and the Army, or separately.
Naval Patrolmen
A branch formed recently to augment the land combat capabilities of SLN. Effectively members of this branch are soldiers of the navy performing the role of naval infantry. Originally limited to base and harbor security, in recent years Naval Patrolmen have taken part in offensive and defensive operations against the LTTE in conjunction with the army or independently, as both infantryInfantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
and light armored
Buffel
The Buffel is a mine-protected APC used by the South African Army during the South African Border War. The Buffel was also used as an armoured fighting vehicle and proved itself in this role...
units.
Provost Branch
The Naval Provost branch of the Sri Lanka Navy is entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining discipline and enforcement of law and order among the Naval personnel by way of prevention of crimes, detection of crimes, apprehension of offenders, conducting preliminary investigations for necessary disciplinary action and providing assistance to all naval authorities on all disciplinary and other connected matters.Parama Weera Vibhushanaya recipients
The Parama Weera VibhushanayaParama Weera Vibhushanaya
Parama Weera Vibhushanaya , is the highest Sri Lankan military decoration equivalent to the British Victoria Cross , or the United States Medal of Honor, that's awarded as a reward for all ranks of the tri services individual acts of gallantry...
is the highest award for valour awarded in the Sri Lankan armed forces. Navy recipients include;
- Lieutenant-Commander Jude Lakmal Wijethunge
Notable fallen members
Over 23,790 Sri Lankan armed forces personnel were killed since begin of the civil war in 1981 to its end in 2009, this includes 2 admiralAdmiral
Admiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
s killed in active duty or assassinated.. 659 service personnel were killed due to the second JVP insurrection from 1987 to 1990. 53 service personnel were killed and 323 were wounded in the first JVP insurrection from 1971 to 1972. Notable fallen members includes;
- AdmiralAdmiralAdmiral is the rank, or part of the name of the ranks, of the highest naval officers. It is usually considered a full admiral and above vice admiral and below admiral of the fleet . It is usually abbreviated to "Adm" or "ADM"...
W.W.E.Clancy FernandoClancy FernandoAdmiral Wannakuwatta Waduge Erwin Clancy Fernando VSV, USP, MSc, ndc, psc, MNI, SLN was the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy from 1 November 1991 - 16 November 1992...
- Commander of the Navy - Rear AdmiralRear AdmiralRear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
Mohan Jayamaha - Commander Northern Naval Area
Women in the Sri Lanka Navy
Today women are recruited to both the regular and volunteerSri Lanka Volunteer Naval Force
The Sri Lanka Volunteer Naval Force is the volunteer reserve force of the Sri Lanka Navy. The present headquarters of the VNF is at SLNS Lanka in Welisara. 95% of the members of the Volunteer Naval Force are now in the active service and deployed across almost all Sri Lankan Naval bases, with a...
forces. Although at first limited to the medical branch currently both lady officers and female rates are able to join any branch of service including the executive branch as well. In 2007 the navy appointed its first ever Lady Commodore
Commodore (rank)
Commodore is a military rank used in many navies that is superior to a navy captain, but below a rear admiral. Non-English-speaking nations often use the rank of flotilla admiral or counter admiral as an equivalent .It is often regarded as a one-star rank with a NATO code of OF-6, but is not always...
, Surgeon Commodore Indranee Y. Amarasinghe.
See also
- Military of Sri Lanka
- Commander of the Navy
- Military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka NavyMilitary ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka NavyThe following tables present the military ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka Navy. These ranks generally correspond with those of Western or Commonwealth Nations militaries, and reflect those of the British Warrant Officer, Non Commissioned Officer and enlisted ranks and the Commissioned officer...
- Fast Attack FlotillaFast Attack FlotillaThe 4th Fast Attack Flotilla is a force element flotilla of the Sri Lanka Navy. The flotilla's mission is to provide heavily armed and fast patrol boat capability to counter sea tiger movements along the coast and to protect naval and civilian shipping from sea tiger suicide crafts.-History:The...
- Special Boat SquadronSpecial Boat SquadronThe Special Boat Squadron is the Sri Lanka Navy's elite special forces unit. It forms part of the Sri Lanka Special Forces, alongside the Commando Regiment , Special Forces Regiment, and SLAF Special Forces...
- Rapid Action Boat SquadronRapid Action Boat SquadronThe Rapid Action Boat Squadron is a force element squadron of the Sri Lanka Navy that provides expertise in small boat operations in support of littoral operations, amphibious and riverine activities...
- Naval and Maritime AcademyNaval and Maritime AcademyNaval and Maritime Academy , Trincomalee, is the location of initial officer training in the Sri Lanka Navy, and is located within SLN Dockyard, Trincomalee. It received university status in 2001...
- Hoods Tower MuseumHoods Tower MuseumThe Hoods Tower Museum is a naval museum of the Sri Lanka Navy in Trincomalee. Located at Ostenburg, in the Trincomalee peninsular on a high ridge over looking the entrance to the inner harbor of Trincomalee within the SLN Dockyard...
- Sri Lankan Civil WarSri Lankan civil warThe Sri Lankan Civil War was a conflict fought on the island of Sri Lanka. Beginning on July 23, 1983, there was an on-and-off insurgency against the government by the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam , a separatist militant organization which fought to create an independent Tamil state named Tamil...