The Indian Navy submarine INS Sindhukesari departed Sri Lanka on Wednesday after completing an operational turnaround at the Port of Colombo. The Sri Lanka Navy bade a customary farewell to the outgoing submarine in keeping with naval traditions.
During its stay, the submarine’s crew participated in programmes organised by the Sri Lanka Navy, intended to deepen ties between the two services.
Operational turnarounds — short logistics and maintenance halts during a deployment — are a routine feature of the periodic naval engagement between the two countries. The visit follows a sustained period of bilateral defence activity, including the recently concluded DIVEX 2026 diving exercise and the earlier visit of diving support vessel INS Nireekshak to Colombo.
Indian and Sri Lankan navies maintain a programme of port calls, joint exercises, and training exchanges under their broader maritime cooperation framework, with India among Colombo’s most regular foreign naval visitors.
Source: The Island — May 6, 2026.
