Navy Marines storm Galle Face Green for amphibious demonstration

On the sidelines of 73rd Independence Day celebrations Sri Lanka Navy staged an amphibious landing demonstration at the Galle Face Green, Colombo on 04th February 2021.

Sri Lanka Navy, renowned as the First Line of Defence of the island nation, conducted this mock beach insertion as an exhibition to showcase its amphibious capabilities. The simulation includes rehearsal scenarios that cover landing and related drills performed by officers and sailors from Sri Lanka Navy Marines, who are famed as amphibious warfare specialists. Meanwhile, this amphibious landing drill was augmented by Landing Ship Tank, Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Shakthi, SLNS Ranagaja, Landing Craft Utility – L 821, L 801 and L 802 as well as small boats particularly used for amphibious operations.

The demonstration on 04th February saw a group of Navy Marines, projecting force across a potentially hostile shore, in preparation of an amphibious landing. Meanwhile, 03 small vehicle prototypes, devised by Navy Engineers, were also tested during this demonstration.

Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Meril Sudarshana, Director General Operations, Rear Admiral YN Jayaratne, Acting Director Naval Marine, Captain Sanath Pitigala, Commanding Officer 01st Marine Battalion, Commander Ravi Harischandra and a group of naval personnel were present on this occasion.

Due to prevailing COVID-19 concerns, the mock beach insertion was conducted with the participation of a limited number of naval personnel and arrangements have been made to bring exclusive highlights of the event to the public eye, through media. Meanwhile, the demonstration is scheduled to be held on 06th and 07th of February at the Galle Face, Colombo as well.