24 February 2014

Sri Lanka: Australian Naval Ship HMAS “Melbourne” arrives on Goodwill Visit

HMAS Melbourne arriving at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii in 2009

The Australian Naval Ship HMAS “Melbourne” arrived at the port of Colombo on 21st February 2014 on a goodwill visit. It was ceremonially welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on arrival.

Ship’s Commanding Officer, Commander BJ Schligel a courtesy call on Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe at the Western Naval Command Headquarters in Colombo. They held cordial discussions and exchanged mementos as a gesture of goodwill.

HMAS Melbourne is an Adelaide Class guided missile frigate (FFG). It is 138 meters in length and has a displacement of 4040 tons. The ship’s complement consists of 26 officers and 195 sailors. The ship’s crew is scheduled to participate in a series of programmes arranged by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance the friendly relations between the two Navies during the ship’s stay in Sri Lanka.