The first Bay Class Patrol Vessel arrived in Sri Lanka today.The vessel was gifted by Australia to the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance maritime security and combat human smuggling.

The vessel called at the Colombo Port where a ceremony was held under the patronage of Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage and the Australian High Commissioner in the island Mrs. Robyn Mudie.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abott promised to give two Bay Class vessels when he was in Sri Lanka to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) November last year. Pix by Pradeep Pathirana