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| Setogiri DD- 156 and Ariake DD- 109 docked in the harbour |
Two Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships,
Ariake DD- 109 and Setogiri DD- 156, arrived at the Port of Colombo for
logistics requirements, The ships are en route for Counter Piracy Operations
off the Coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. They were welcomed by the Sri
Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions on arrival. Head of the team,
Commander Escort Division 7, Captain Hirofumi Shimizu and Ships’ Commanding
Officers, Commander Yoshihiro Kai and Commander Toshiyuki Iwanami paid a
courtesy call on Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral
Sirimevan Ranasinghe of the Sri Lanka Navy at the Western Naval Command
Headquarters in Colombo. They held cordial discussions and exchanged mementos
as a gesture of goodwill.
“Ariake” is a destroyer with two helicopters
onboard. It is 150.5 meters in length. It consists of a complement of 200 naval
personnel and has a displacement of 4,550 tons. “Setogiri” is also a destroyer
with a helicopter onboard. It is 137 meters in length and has a displacement of
3,550 tons. It consists of a complement of 200 naval personnel. The ships’
complements will participate in a special programme organized by the Sri Lanka
Navy during their stay in Sri Lanka.
