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US Coast Guard to transfer fourth vessel to SLN
US and Sri Lankan officials held what Navy headquarters called preliminary discussions regarding the transferring of the EX-U.S. Coast Guard Medium Endurance Cutter USCGC Decisive to the Sri Lanka Navy.
The meeting was chaired by Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Saman Perera and the Chief of the Office of Defence Cooperation U.S. Embassy in Colombo, Commander Sean Jin.
The ship is scheduled to join the Sri Lanka Navy’s fleet in 2025 after undergoing necessary modernization to meet the operational requirements.
The Sri Lanka Navy previously acquired three vessels, namely SLNS ‘Samudura’ (P 621), SLNS ‘Gajabahu’ (P 626), and SLNS ‘Vijayabahu’ (P 627), from the U.S. Coast Guard as part of its fleet expansion.
Navy Hq said: “These ships are effectively carrying out operations, both within Sri Lanka’s maritime borders and in international waters, to address illegal activities, including non-traditional maritime threats, and to safeguard freedom of navigation. To enhance its maritime operations, the Sri Lanka Navy will acquire ships that meet the current requirements for maintaining a fleet with high endurance and operational efficiency.”
Lakbima Rice Mills (Pvt) Ltd, based in Polonnaruwa, has contributed Rs. 100 million to the Government’s ‘Rebuilding Sri Lanka’ Fund, established to provide relief to communities affected by Cyclone Ditwa.
The donation cheque was handed over this morning (13) at the Presidential Secretariat to Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, Secretary to the President, by Dudley Sirisena, Chairman of the Araliya Group of Companies.
Latest News
Advisory for severe lightning issued to the Districts of Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara
Advisory for Severe Lightning
Issued by the Natural Hazards Early Warning Centre
at 12.30 p.m. 13 December 2025 valid for the period until 11.00 p.m. 13 December 2025 for Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts
The public are warned that thundershowers accompanied with severe lightning are likely to occur at some places in the Kaluthara, Rathnapura, Galle and Matara Districts.
There may be temporary localized strong winds during thundershowers.
General public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damages caused by lightning activity.
ACTION REQUIRED:
The Department of Meteorology advises that people should:
Seek shelter, preferably indoors and never under trees.
Avoid open areas such as paddy fields, tea plantations and open water bodies during thunderstorms.
Avoid using wired telephones and connected electric appliances during thunderstorms.
Avoid using open vehicles, such as bicycles, tractors and boats etc.
Beware of fallen trees and power lines.
For emergency assistance contact the local disaster management authorities.
Based on the prevailing disaster situation and the upcoming festive season, arrangements have been made to provide a nutrition allowance worth Rs. 5,000 to pregnant mothers.
This allowance, which will be provided only once, will be given to pregnant mothers who were registered at maternal clinics on or before 30 November 2025.
The distribution will take place through the Divisional Secretariat offices from 16 December, as a program of the National Secretariat for Early Childhood Development, which is affiliated with the Ministry of Women and Child Affairs.
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