Indian Navy’s submarine INS Vela, arrived in Colombo yesterday on a three-day visit. The submarine was accorded a ceremonial welcome by the Officer of the guard and band of Sri Lanka Navy, a statement from the Indian High Commission said.  

INS Vela is an indigenous Kalvari-class diesel-electric submarine, commissioned into the Indian Navy on 25 November 2021.   

The Commanding Officer, Commander Kapil Kumaris is scheduled to call on the Commander of the Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral WDCU Kumarasinghe at Western Naval Headquarters. An organized visit for personnel from Sri Lanka Navy and High Commission of India will be conducted. A basketball match is also planned between the submarine crew and SLN personnel at Sri Lanka Naval Base in Welisara.   

The visit is classified as an Operational Turn Around (OTR), wherein the submarine will replenish provisions. The crew will have the opportunity of visiting places of interest in and around Colombo. The submarine will depart the island on November 13, 2024.   

Indian Navy / Coast Guard ships and submarines have been making regular Port calls in Sri Lanka. The visit further strengthens the bilateral cooperation and camaraderie between the two maritime nations in keeping with India’s ‘Neighbourhood First’ policy and the Prime Minister’s vision of ‘SAGAR’ which stands for “Security and Growth for all in the Region”.