Secretary Defence visits crew onboard Ex- USCGC ‘Sherman’ in Hawaii
 

The secretary to the Ministry of Defence Mr. Kapila Waidyaratne PC and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe visited and addressed the Sri Lanka Navy crew onboard Ex – USCGC ‘Sherman’ in Honolulu, Hawaii yesterday (22^nd August).

During the address, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence made endeavor to encourage and commend the duty of crew towards the motherland. Despite the island’s extensive preparation to face the incoming hurricane Lane, the secretary to the Ministry of Defence inspected the ship as well as held cordial discussions with the United States Coast Guard authorities with respect to the progress of the acquisition of the Ex-USCGC ‘Sherman' to Sri Lanka Navy and future plans furthering the Sri Lanka and US naval corporation.

The event was also attended by the Sri Lankan Consul Mr. Bede Dhammika Cooray, Commander of the Navy, and the designated Commanding Officer of the ship Captain Aruna Thennakoon. Official handing over ceremony of USCGC Sherman to Sri Lanka Navy has been delayed due to the hurricane Lane which is progressively on its way towards the Islands of Hawaii. However, the ship is scheduled to be taken over by the Sri Lanka Navy by the end of this month (August) and expected return to Sri Lanka by April 2019.