Sri Lanka takes over First Australian Custom Vessel “Corio Bay” gifted by Australia on 30th March 2014 in Port of Cairns
April 1, 2014
Ex-ACV Corio Bay Ceremonially dressed for the Occasion
Briefing by Ships Commanding Officer to the High Commissioner and the Commander of the Navy
Commander of the Navy, High Commissioner, Border Protection Commander , Director Naval Projects and Plan and New Commanding Officer designate saluting the national Anthems, Flag shifting event
National Director a Border Protection Command Capability and Commander of the Navy after Handing over of the Vessel
High Commissioner and the Commander of the Navy in the bridge wing
The Sri Lankan flag replaced the Australian Border Protection Command flag on board Australian Custom vessel Corio Bay amidst the two National Anthem to symbolize the handing over of the above vessel to the Sri Lanka Navy on the 30th of April 2014 at Port of Cairns in a simple ceremony. The flag shifting ceremony was attended by the following dignitaries of both countries:-
1. Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, High Commissioner
2. Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage, Commander of the Navy
3. Rear Admiral Michael Noonan, Commander of the Australian Border Protection
4. Commodore (Rtd) Nigel Perry, National Director of the Border Protection Capabilities
5. Commodore S. Mohotti, Director Naval Protection and Projects of the Sri Lanka Navy
6. Commander Janaka Samaranayake, Commanding Officer Designate
7. Officials from the Australian High Commission in Sri Lanka
8. Members of the Sri Lanka Navy crew
9. Members of the Australian crew of the Corio Bay.
The gift of the two Australian coast guard vessels was announced by Hon. Tony Abbott, Prime Minister of Australia to Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, Secretary, Ministry of Defence and Urban Development at a ceremony held on board SLNS “Sayura” in the Port of Colombo on 18th of November during the CHOGM 2013.
Australian Border Protection Command facilitated the transfer formalities and also provided three hour sea excursion on a similar class of vessel to demonstrate her capabilities at sea. The vessel was observed to be a versatile, reliable, well maintained craft and amply capable of performing the Sri Lanka Navy’s coastal surveillance duties for many years which would undoubtedly enhance the Sri Lankan Navy’s capabilities at sea.
Both High Commissioner and the Commander of the Navy speaking at the ceremony paid their appreciation and thanks to the government of Australia and the Border Protection Command for the friendly gesture of providing the vessels as gifts, and committed to work towards further strengthening Australia Sri Lanka relations.
The vessel is expected to sail to Sri Lanka shortly under Sri Lankan Navy flag and the second vessel is also expected to be handed over shortly.
Channel 7 Australia television network covered the ceremony.
Few photographs taken at the ceremony are attached.
Sri Lanka High Commission
Canberra
01.04.2014