ශ්‍රී ලංකා නාවික හමුදාවට එක් වන නව දැවැන්තයා

Experience the historic arrival of the P 628, the newest addition to the Sri Lanka Navy’s fleet! Officially handed over by the United States Coast Guard on December 2, 2025, at the USCG Yard in Baltimore, Maryland, this vessel marks a significant milestone in the defense cooperation between Sri Lanka and the USA. Witness the journey of a vessel built for endurance and high-tech maritime operations. From its storied past in the US Coast Guard—where it was instrumental in drug interdiction and maritime security—to its new mission protecting the vast waters of the Indian Ocean. Key Highlights of the P 628: • Dimensions & Power: A 64-meter long vessel with a surveillance range of at least 6,000 nautical miles per deployment. • A Historic Voyage: This marks the longest sea journey ever undertaken by a Sri Lanka Navy vessel, covering 14,775 nautical miles over 77 days. • Panama Canal Milestone: The P 628 is the first-ever Sri Lanka Navy ship to transit through the Panama Canal. • The Route: Departing on February 20th, the vessel traveled through the Atlantic Ocean, the Panama Canal, across the Pacific, through the Malacca Strait, and finally into the Indian Ocean. • Arrival: Scheduled to reach the Trincomalee Port on May 8, 2026 • Mission & Purpose: The P 628 is set to play a vital role in achieving Sri Lanka's national maritime aspirations, including: • Protecting the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which is seven times larger than Sri Lanka's landmass. • Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and providing aid to the naval and fishing communities. • Securing vital international shipping routes in the Indian Ocean. • Combating illegal activities and ensuring a stable maritime zone ⁠#SriLankaNavy #P628 #MaritimeSecurity #USCoastGuard #IndianOcean #NavalHistory #Trincomalee #PanamaCanal