Two Pakistan Navy warships arrived at the Port of Colombo on Saturday on a goodwill visit, with bilateral naval exercises to follow in Sri Lankan waters.
PNS Taimur, commanded by Captain Niamat Saeed Khan, and PNS Aslat, commanded by Captain Nadir Mateen Afridi, were received in compliance with naval traditions, the Sri Lanka Navy confirmed. The ships are expected to conduct Bilateral Naval Exercise LION STAR V with the Sri Lanka Navy in seas off Colombo.
LION STAR is a numbered bilateral exercise series between the Pakistani and Sri Lankan navies, with this being the fifth edition.
The timing of the visit carries diplomatic significance. Pakistan served as the host and mediator for the US-Iran nuclear talks in Islamabad that collapsed on Saturday after 21 hours of negotiations failed to resolve the nuclear enrichment sticking point. Pakistani Navy ships docking in Colombo on the same day underscores Islamabad’s growing regional engagement across both diplomatic and defence channels.
Sri Lanka has maintained a carefully balanced foreign policy throughout the Middle East crisis, welcoming diplomatic efforts from all sides while focusing on the economic fallout — particularly the energy supply disruptions caused by the Strait of Hormuz closure.
The US Pacific Fleet also engaged with Sri Lanka’s Navy recently, reflecting Colombo’s continued ability to maintain defence relationships with multiple powers simultaneously.
