US hands over Coast Guard Vessel to Sri Lanka Navy

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Home > Struggle for Tamil Eelam > International Frame & the Tamil Eelam Struggle for Freedom> US Admiral Thomas Collins hands over US Coast Guard Vessel “Courageous” to Sri Lanka Navy

INTERNATIONAL FRAME &
THE STRUGGLE for Tamil Eelam

US Admiral Thomas Collins hands over
US Coast Guard Vessel “Courageous” to Sri Lanka Navy

Lanka Academic Report, 27 June 2004

"Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri ended his visit to the US where the US transferred a 210 foot cutter to the Sri Lanka Navy. During his visit to the US Sandagiri met with Admiral Mike Mullen, Vice Chief of Naval Operations (VCNO) at the Pentagon where the discussions centered on bilateral interests pertaining to the interdiction of illegal arms trafficking, security of the seas and ports, and related naval issues.

Admiral Mullen stated that Sri Lanka is extremely important in the global security arena due to its unique location in the Indian Ocean. Admiral Sandagiri thanked the VCNO for all assistance accorded to the Sri Lanka Navy, especially in field of training.

This visit is considered a historic first by a Sri Lankan Armed Forces Commander to the Pentagon. Sandagiri also met with John Bolton, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security at the Department of State. During his meeting with Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia Ms Christina Rocca at the Department of State, Admiral Sandagiri thanked Armitage for the US decision to transfer the US Coast Guard Cutter to the Sri Lanka Navy to strengthen the country’s ability to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity. In particular, the capability to interdict illegal arms shipments in a region increasingly was facing multiple threats."

" After handing over the US Coast Guard Vessel “Courageous” to the Sri Lankan Navy Commander Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri, US Coast Guard Admiral Thomas Collins said that the vessel was now in the hands of ‘true professionals’.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, which transferred the ownership to Sri Lanka, the US Admiral noted, “The Sri Lankan Navy’s capabilities would be enhanced by this latest acquisition”. He also said “this was an important step in the burgeoning relationship between the two countries”.

Whilst wishing the Sri Lankan Navy “fair weather and happy tidings” Admiral Collins mentioned that the new Captain of the ship had an enviable task ahead. Sri Lanka Navy Commander Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri accepted the transfer of the former US Coast Guard 210 foot Cutter “Courageous” at the US Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington DC yesterday. Sri Lankan Ambassador in Washington Devinda R. Subasinghe also attended the handing over ceremony."

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