• PNS Taimur is expected to conduct a naval exercise with the Sri Lanka Navy in western seas on its departure on August 15 
• The prime motive of these exercises is to enhance interoperability, partnerships and goodwill as well as exchange best practices with foreign navies 

By Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya   

Responding to certain reports relating to a scheduled naval exercise with the Pakistan Navy Ship (PNS) Taimur which arrived in Sri Lanka on a formal visit, the Sri Lanka Navy said they conduct Passage Exercises as a routine engagement when visiting naval ships departed the island after making official port calls.   

The 134m-long PNS Taimur arrived at the Colombo port on a formal visit on August 12   

The ship is expected to remain in the island until 15th August and the crew of the ship will take part in several programmes organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to promote cooperation and goodwill between two navies.   
Further, PNS Taimur is expected to conduct a naval exercise with the Sri Lanka Navy in Western seas on its departure on August 15.   

“In this backdrop, certain media reports circulating about a ‘War Game’ between Sri Lanka Navy and Pakistan Navy are fallacious,” the Sri Lanka Navy said.   

The prime motive of these exercises is to enhance interoperability, partnerships and goodwill as well as exchange best practices with foreign navies.   

As part of this Passage Exercise, PNS Taimur and SLNS Sindurala are expected to conduct Maneuvering exercises and Search and Rescue exercises.