Operations

Naval operations as at today embrace a wide area of maritime activities. The main areas of the Sri Lanka Navy's naval operations are as follows:

• Deep Sea Surveillance

  Offshore Patrol Vessels are deployed in the high seas to carry out surveillance on illegal transfer of war-like materials using merchant vessels & activities of EEZ.

• FAC Operations

  Fast Attack Craft are small surface combatants of about 25 m in length and around 50 tons displacement armed with rapid-fire weapons. New generation is capable of producing speeds over 45 knots. These units have proven to be the most effective weapon against terrorist Sea Tiger activities.

• Security of Harbours

  Owing to terrorist activities carried out using suicide cadres against naval units berthed at Trincomalee, Kankesanturai, and Karainagar, and many attempts against merchant ships off Kankesanturai and in Colombo Harbour, it has become essential to protect these harbours round the clock. The Sri Lanka Navy is the designated authority for implementing the International Ships and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in Sri Lanka.

• IPC Operations

  Inshore Patrol Craft are small 14 m vessels capable of operating inshore as well as for beaching. They are capable of speeds in excess of 30 knots.

• SBS Operations

  Special Boat Squadron consists of elite naval troops trained for clandestine and special operations.

• Land Operations

  Since the early 90s, the SLN has been involved in land operations, assisting the Army in amphibious operations to liberate land areas from terrorist control. The SLN also assists the Army in ground combat duties. For this purpose, the North Central Command was established, and Naval Patrolman battalions were raised to take up this task.