Indian Navy’s INS Shalki Arrives in Colombo for Two-Day Visit

The Indian Navy’s submarine, INS Shalki, arrived on August 2, 2024, on a two-day visit to Colombo. The submarine was received ceremonially by the officer of the guard of the Sri Lanka Navy. The Commanding Officer is scheduled to call on the Commander of the Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral WDCU Kumarasinghe, at Western Naval Headquarters on August 2, 2024. Later in the day, around 50 nominated personnel from the Sri Lanka Navy are scheduled to visit the submarine, and they will be briefed about the submarine onboard. Personnel from the High Commission of India in Sri Lanka and the Sri Lanka Defence Forces are scheduled to visit the submarine on 3 August 2024. INS Shalki is a Shishumar class diesel-electric submarine, commissioned into the Indian Navy on 7 February 1992. This is the first-ever submarine to be built in India. Previously, Kalveri class submarine INS Karaj visited Colombo in February 2024, and INS Vagirhad visited Colombo in relation to the International Day of Yoga in June 2023. The visit is an Operational Turnaround (OTR), wherein the submarine will replenish fuel and provisions. The crew will recuperate and have the opportunity to visit places of interest in Sri Lanka. The submarine will depart the island on 4 August 2024.