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Preparations for SLN’s Red Sea operations will cost USD 40 mn: expert
By Rathindra Kuruwita
The government will have to spend about USD 40 million to upgrade the offshore patrol vessel to be sent to the Red Sea to take part in operations against the Houthi rebels, Y.N. Jayarathna, retired Rear Admiral and hydrographer, said in a televised interview this week.
The Sri Lanka Navy would be able to operate in the Red Sea if the government was willing to spend necessary funds for upgrading the ships and bear operational costs, Jayarathna said.
“We need to use offshore patrol vessels. We have these ships. During the last phase of the war, Sri Lanka decided to go after the LTTE’s floating armouries, which were almost on the South of the Equator. We sent a taskforce under Commodore Travis Sinnaiah,” he said.
Jayarathna added that the Navy had operated on the high seas to curb drug smuggling from Iran via the Arabian Sea.
When a journalist asked whether it would serve Lanka’s national interest to send ships to the Red Sea to fight someone else’s war, Jayarathna said that by sending a ship to the Red Sea, Sri Lanka was fulfilling international obligations in safeguarding sea lines of communication.
“The government has to word our mission there carefully. It will be disadvantageous if others believe we are fighting someone else’s war. We must come off as a regional Navy with the capacity to contribute to coalition patrols,” he said.
Jayarathna said Sri Lanka would have to invest in the ships to make them able to operate in the Red Sea.
“The Head of State wants the SLN to operate in the Red Sea, but does the government want to spend money? There will be operational costs, and there will be maintenance costs. The cost of diesel, alone for an offshore patrol vessel for a one-month patrol, comes to about Rs 60 million. There is a huge cost, and the government has to be ready for it,” Jayaratne said.
The retired Rear Admiral said Navies could not be built overnight and that they had to be maintained. “We have the vessels, but do we have the necessary technology? There is a lot more to be done before we are able to send the ships. We need some new equipment. We need to replace some of our obsolete equipment.”
The Sri Lankan Navy needed detection and stabilisation equipment, he said. If Sri Lanka wanted to buy the equipment quickly, it will have to pay crisis purchase prices, Jayaratne said.
“So, about USD 35 to 40 million will be needed. If the government wants naval ships to be there, the government should pay.”
The Sri Lankan Navy will not be operational in the high-intensity combat zone. But even at the periphery, Houthi rebels are using cruise and ballistic missiles.
“In the power politics of the Indian Ocean, the US and its allies want us to be in their camp. The Chinese want us to be in their camps. It seems that we are siding with the US and its allies. We can’t make decisions on impulse. The decisions we make here have repercussions. So, political masters must make wise decisions. These are not decisions that a single person is taking. A body of people must make these decisions. We don’t know what went on behind the scenes,” he said.
The volume of transshipment cargo that the Colombo Port received had gone up because ships are taking the long sea route to avoid the Red Sea, he said.
Jayarathna said that Sri Lanka should go and operate on the Northern part of the Arabian Sea, which is a main route for drugs that come here.
“This means we don’t even have to be on the periphery of the conflict area. We will be in the vicinity. This is a good opportunity for us to be there and operate for our national interest while protecting the sea lines of communications,” Jayaratne said.
The Russian circumnavigation team, the 5 Oceans Club, made a brief stop in Sri Lanka as part of their second global sailing expedition.
The six-member crew, visited the Russian House in Colombo, on Friday, (24th April) where they shared insights from their journey.
What makes this expedition particularly inspiring is the club’s commitment to inclusivity. They actively encourage children with limb disabilities to experience the ocean and participate in sailing as equals, fostering confidence and a deep connection with nature.
The team also spoke about a specialized sailing school based in Siberia—one of Russia’s most picturesque regions—where children with such challenges are trained and introduced to maritime life. During the session, they offered a glimpse into their daily life aboard the yacht and highlighted how they integrate elements of science into their explorations, making their journey both adventurous and educational.
The crew consists of, Dmitry Kuznetsov – (captain of the boat of the 5 Oceans Club), Vladimir Dudkin – (crew member), Dmitry Dudkin –(cabin boy), Ksenia Kuznetsova – (cabin boy), Natalia Shahinyan – (founder of the charity foundation “Life on the Move”), Sofia Sheremet -(ward of the foundation)
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Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
Warm Weather Advisory
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
Issued at 3.30 p.m. on 25 April 2026, valid for 26 April 2026.
The Heat index, the temperature felt on the human body is likely to increase up to ‘Caution level’ at some places in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time.
The Heat Index Forecast is calculated by using relative humidity and maximum temperature and this is the condition that is felt on your body. This is not the forecast of maximum temperature. It is generated by the Department of Meteorology for the next day period and prepared by using global numerical weather prediction model data.
Effect of the heat index on human body is mentioned in the above table and it is prepared on the advice of the Ministry of Health and Indigenous Medical Services.
ACTION REQUIRED
Job sites: Stay hydrated and takes breaks in the shade as often as possible.
Indoors: Check up on the elderly and the sick.
Vehicles: Never leave children unattended.
Outdoors: Limit strenuous outdoor activities, find shade and stay hydrated.
Dress: Wear lightweight and white or light-colored clothing.
Note:
In addition, please refer to advisories issued by the Disaster Preparedness & Response Division, Ministry of Health in this regard as well. For further clarifications please contact 011-744649
Railway General Manager Ravindra Pathmapriya said on Friday that re-railing operations of the derailed ‘Sagarika’ train have already commenced and that services on the Coastal Line are expected to be restored within two days.
Addressing the media, he said the Minister had instructed officials to take all necessary measures to minimise inconvenience to passengers.
Commenting on the incident, he said: “The damaged train is a significant loss for us, especially as our fleet is already limited. We have incurred this loss and hope to rectify the situation promptly. However, we will need to deploy an alternative train in its place, and discussions are currently underway.”
The ‘Sagarika’ train, operating from Beliatta to Maradana, derailed near the Wadduwa Railway Station on Friday morning (24), causing severe damage to one track of the dual-line section.
The Railway Department has since restricted services on the affected Coastal Line up to Panadura Railway Station.
Arrangements have been made to transport passengers from Panadura to South Kalutara by Sri Lanka Transport Board (SLTB) buses, from where train services will resume towards Matara and Beliatta.
Meanwhile, the Department said efforts are underway to clear the obstruction and restore at least one track by the end of the day.
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Showers expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa and North-western provinces and in Galle, Matara, Kandy and Nuwara-Eliya districts after 2.00 pm.
Heat Index at Caution Level in the Northern, North-central, North-western, Western, Sabaragamuwa, Southern, and Eastern provinces and in Monaragala district during the day time
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