Page 3 - Interview Rear Admiral PS Mahawithana, Director General Operations, Sri Lanka Navy
P. 3
Coast Guard in 2017.
These procurement programmes have increased the capability of the SLN to conduct more blue-
water operations. In 2019 the SLN took delivery of the Jiangwei I (Type 053 H2G)-class frigate
from China, which has been re-designated as an OPV and named SLNS Parakramabahu with the
pennant number P625.
“With the acquisition of this ex-frigate, SLN is now capable of reaching ‘Over the Horizon Targets‘
as it is fitted with high-calibre gun with fire-control systems. Also, the deep-sea surveillance
capabilities of the navy has greatly enhanced with its advanced sensors,” Rear Adm Mahawithana
said.
In 2019 the SLN also acquired the former USCG Hamilton-class cutter USCGC Sherman
(WHEC-720), which it has renamed SLNS Gajabahu (P626). Rear Adm Mahawithana said that the
ship is “covering high-seas patrols having high endurance and good seaworthiness to conduct
maritime interdiction operations to counter drug trafficking and other illegal activities at sea. It also
takes part in combined maritime operations and exercises with other countries.”
A second USGC cutter, the ex-USCGC Douglas Munro (WHEC-724), was handed over to the SLN
in October 2021 in Seattle, but it is yet to join the SLN fleet.
According to Rear Adm Mahawithana, plans are under way to build an OPV and two fast patrol
boats (FPBs) in Sri Lanka. Up to 10 FPBs are expected by 2030.
Elsewhere, the intention is to install large-calibre guns on the SLN's existing OPVs and purchase
medium-calibre guns for its other fleet units. Every ship will receive night-vision optical devices to
provide an effective 24-hour surveillance capability.
There is also a need to enhance fleet communications to improve the co-ordination of surveillance
activities, particularly between the ship and shore-based command. Rear Adm Mahawithana
explained that new systems including WiMAX, FleetBroadband, and data communication will be
acquired.
“Presently, the fleet is running with only ESM [electronic countermeasure] facilities, and our next
step would be to strengthen our fleet units with other electronic measures to suppress the use of
electromagnetic spectrum by non-state actors in our theatre of operations,” he added.
According to Rear Adm Mahawithana, operating large ships is not an issue for the SLN. The risk
lies in learning how to operate the new equipment and systems onboard.
“The challenge here is to operate in technologically advanced setting and get our operators
acquainted with those appliances to harness optimum use. For that, we have selected teams, trained
at the country of origin with the acquisition process, who [will] keep training next-generation crew
for the foreseeable future, and until these appliances become much more conversant with our
operators. In addition, the SLN fleet force command is entrusted with periodical fleet training,
which has seen remarkable improvement in professionalism of officers and men at sea,” he said.
© 2022 Jane’s Group UK Limited. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form Page 3 of 4
without prior written consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement
between client and Jane’s. Content reproduced or redistributed with Jane’s permission must display Jane’s legal notices and
attributions of authorship. The information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness
are not warranted, nor are the opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, Jane’s shall not
be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement
contained herein.
These procurement programmes have increased the capability of the SLN to conduct more blue-
water operations. In 2019 the SLN took delivery of the Jiangwei I (Type 053 H2G)-class frigate
from China, which has been re-designated as an OPV and named SLNS Parakramabahu with the
pennant number P625.
“With the acquisition of this ex-frigate, SLN is now capable of reaching ‘Over the Horizon Targets‘
as it is fitted with high-calibre gun with fire-control systems. Also, the deep-sea surveillance
capabilities of the navy has greatly enhanced with its advanced sensors,” Rear Adm Mahawithana
said.
In 2019 the SLN also acquired the former USCG Hamilton-class cutter USCGC Sherman
(WHEC-720), which it has renamed SLNS Gajabahu (P626). Rear Adm Mahawithana said that the
ship is “covering high-seas patrols having high endurance and good seaworthiness to conduct
maritime interdiction operations to counter drug trafficking and other illegal activities at sea. It also
takes part in combined maritime operations and exercises with other countries.”
A second USGC cutter, the ex-USCGC Douglas Munro (WHEC-724), was handed over to the SLN
in October 2021 in Seattle, but it is yet to join the SLN fleet.
According to Rear Adm Mahawithana, plans are under way to build an OPV and two fast patrol
boats (FPBs) in Sri Lanka. Up to 10 FPBs are expected by 2030.
Elsewhere, the intention is to install large-calibre guns on the SLN's existing OPVs and purchase
medium-calibre guns for its other fleet units. Every ship will receive night-vision optical devices to
provide an effective 24-hour surveillance capability.
There is also a need to enhance fleet communications to improve the co-ordination of surveillance
activities, particularly between the ship and shore-based command. Rear Adm Mahawithana
explained that new systems including WiMAX, FleetBroadband, and data communication will be
acquired.
“Presently, the fleet is running with only ESM [electronic countermeasure] facilities, and our next
step would be to strengthen our fleet units with other electronic measures to suppress the use of
electromagnetic spectrum by non-state actors in our theatre of operations,” he added.
According to Rear Adm Mahawithana, operating large ships is not an issue for the SLN. The risk
lies in learning how to operate the new equipment and systems onboard.
“The challenge here is to operate in technologically advanced setting and get our operators
acquainted with those appliances to harness optimum use. For that, we have selected teams, trained
at the country of origin with the acquisition process, who [will] keep training next-generation crew
for the foreseeable future, and until these appliances become much more conversant with our
operators. In addition, the SLN fleet force command is entrusted with periodical fleet training,
which has seen remarkable improvement in professionalism of officers and men at sea,” he said.
© 2022 Jane’s Group UK Limited. No portion of this report may be reproduced, reused, or otherwise distributed in any form Page 3 of 4
without prior written consent, with the exception of any internal client distribution as may be permitted in the license agreement
between client and Jane’s. Content reproduced or redistributed with Jane’s permission must display Jane’s legal notices and
attributions of authorship. The information contained herein is from sources considered reliable but its accuracy and completeness
are not warranted, nor are the opinions and analyses which are based upon it, and to the extent permitted by law, Jane’s shall not
be liable for any errors or omissions or any loss, damage or expense incurred by reliance on information or any statement
contained herein.
