SLN Marines' ‘Blue Whale III’ exercise cleverly executed in Trincomalee
 

The final amphibious exercise, ‘Blue Whale III’ of the Sri Lanka Navy Marine Battalion was executed today (July, 12) at the Thiriyaya beach, Trincomalee. SLN Marine Battalion was established following a concept of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne on 27^th February this year.

Hundred and fifty nine (159) SLN Maries of the 2^nd Battalion took part in this exercise demonstrated at the coast of Sagarapura in the vicinity of SLNS Walagamba belonging to the Eastern Naval Command. The prime motive of the exercise was to amplify the operational readiness of the SLN Marines who are competent to ward off any form of threat posed by an enemy both from the sea and land. Navy’s Landing Craft 821, 04 Fast Attack Craft, 1 Fast Gun Boat, 8 Inshore Patrol Craft and F7 fighter aircraft along with MI 17 helicopters of the Sri Lanka Air Force were involved in the exercise.

Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Travis Sinniah, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet, Rear Admiral Kapila Samaraweera, Director Naval Land Operations, Commodore UI Serasinghe and several senior officers were present on the occasion, observing the proceedings of the exercise.