News
Operation ‘Prosperity Guardian’: No SLN Red Sea deployment
By Shamindra Ferdinando
Contradicting a claim made by US Ambassador Julie Chung the previous day, authoritative sources denied the deployment of an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) in support of operation ‘Prosperity Guardian’ in the Red Sea to combat Houthis.
Sources were reacting to Ambassador Julie Chung’s declaration on Wednesday that one of the three US Coast Guard Cutters donated over the years to Sri Lanka had been deployed in support of ‘Prosperity Guardian.’
The US envoy’s claim was made at the opening of the third Indian Ocean Security Conference organised by Pathfinder Foundation in Colombo on Wednesday (28). Among the participants were President Ranil Wickremesinghe and Sri Lanka’s former High Commissioner in New Delhi Milinda Moragoda.
Sources said that two OPVs, SLNS Sayura (P 620) and SLNS Gajabahu, formally USCC Sherman (P 626) had been deployed on a special several weeks long mission in the Arabian Sea to intercept vessels carrying narcotics. After the conclusion of the given task, P 626 had returned to Colombo whereas SLNS Sayura, formally Sukanya class patrol vessel of the Indian Navy was on its way back.
Sources said that Sri Lanka lacked the wherewithal to deploy OPVs in a missile and drone operations environment in the Red Sea.The US formed a coalition in December 2024 to meet the growing threat posed by Yemen based Houthis to Red Sea shipping.
US Embassy quoted Ambassador Chung as having told the conference that the Sri Lanka Navy had joined a multinational coalition of naval vessels in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and Arabian Sea from over a dozen countries to help safeguard the freedom of navigation and protect the busy sea lanes of commercial ship traffic from Houthi attacks. “This is a clear demonstration of Sri Lanka
playing an active role in helping to secure the global supply chain that benefits both Sri Lanka and economies around the world. Thanking Sri Lanka for this leadership was an important message conveyed during the recent visits of U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard Verma, and others.”
Ambassador Chung also made reference to the Verma’s recent declaration in Colombo that a fourth US Cutter would be donated to Sri Lanka.Sources said that the deployment in the Arabian Sea appeared to have been misinterpreted as joining ‘Prosperity Guardian,’ involving US and its allies.
Latest News
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
The IMF Executive Board approved emergency financing under the Rapid Financing Instrument (RFI), providing Sri Lanka with immediate access to SDR 150.5 million (about US$206 million,
equivalent to 26 percent of quota) to help Sri Lanka address the urgent needs arising from the catastrophic Cyclone Ditwah and preserve macroeconomic stability.
In response to severe weather impacts, the Sri Lanka Navy conducted a diving and technical assistance operation on Friday (19 Dec 25) to clear major debris obstructing vital infrastructure.
Heavy rainfall caused a significant rise in the water level of the Mahaweli River, washed large quantities of debris, including logs and bamboo, downstream. These remain lodged in the Diyakapanathota in Gatambe, Peradeniya and Lewella bridges, obstructing the smooth flow of water.
Acting promptly upon request, a Navy diving team executed a coordinated operation in collaboration with the Road Development Authority. The team removed the accumulated debris, restoring normal water flow through the bridges.
Latest News
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
The Landslide Early Warning Centre of the National Building Research Organization (NBRO) has extended the Landslide Early Warning issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya till 08:00AM on Sunday (21st December 2025)
The LEVEL III RED landslide early warnings issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Medadumbara, Doluwa, Ududumbara and Minipe in the Kandy district, and Nildandahinna, Hanguranketha, Mathurata and
Walapane have been extended.
LEVEL II AMBER landslide early warnings have also been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Soranathota, Hali_Ela, Passara, Meegahakivula, Badulla, Lunugala and Kandeketiya in the Badulla district, Thumpane, Harispattuwa, Udapalatha, Kundasale, Akurana, Poojapitiya, Udunuwara, Pathadumbara, Pasbage Korale, Gangawata Korale, Hatharaliyadda, Yatinuwara, Ganga Ihala Korale, Panvila, Pathahewaheta and Deltota in the Kandy district, Rideegama in the Kurunegala district, Ukuwela, Naula, Matale, Ambanganga Korale, Rattota, Pallepola, Wilgamuwa, Yatawatta and Laggala Pallegama in the Matale district, and Nuwara-Eliya in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
LEVEL I YELLOW landslide early warnings have been issued to the Divisional Secetaries Divisions and surrounding areas of Uva Paranagama, Welimada, Haputhale, Haldummulla, Ella and
Bandarawela in the Badulla district, Alawwa, Mallawapitiya,
Polgahawela and Mawathagama in the Kurunegala district, and Kothmale East, Ambagamuwa Korale, Kothmale West, Thalawakele and Norwood in the Nuwara-Eliya district.
IMF Executive Board approves US$206 Million in Emergency Financial Support for Sri Lanka
Navy clears major bridge obstructions in Peradeniya and Lewella
Landslide early warnings issued to the districts of Badulla, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matale and Nuwara-Eliya extended till 8AM on Sunday (21)
Trump says US launched large-scale attacks on ISIL in Syria
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PM says govt. will introduce a new Constitution to abolish executive presidency
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