At the end of 2023, Houthi rebels in Yemen began targeting merchant vessels transiting one of the world’s major East–West shipping routes linking the United States and Europe with Asia. Ships using the Suez Canal, Red Sea, and Gulf of Aden came under threat, particularly near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait.
This situation was keenly felt by Sri Lanka, as our main trade routes to the United States and European markets were also threatened. If shipping companies had begun avoiding the Red Sea and Suez Canal and instead used the much longer route around Africa, shipping costs would have increased significantly. Such a development would have adversely affected our export markets, financial stability, and national prosperity.
The United States government invited partner nations to join a naval operation to protect merchant vessels. This responsibility stems from obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and international maritime security commitments.
Following consultations with the Cabinet, the National Security Adviser, and the National Security Council, then President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, decided on 3 January 2024 to deploy one of the Sri Lanka Navy’s advanced Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs) for this multinational naval operation.
Subsequently, the Commander of the Navy, Admiral Priyantha Perera, decided to deploy SLNS Gajabahu, a newly acquired OPV, for the mission.
Many may recall the media attention and criticism that surrounded this deployment. Some “armchair pundits,” who had never ventured to sea even for fishing, claimed that the Houthis would launch missile attacks and that Sri Lanka would lose a ship along with its 100 officers and sailors.
What those critics failed to appreciate was that Sri Lanka Navy officers are trained at some of the world’s finest naval warfare institutions and conduct comprehensive operational assessments before undertaking any naval mission.
As discussed with the operation commanders, the Sri Lanka Navy deployment was positioned well beyond the missile range of hostile forces. SLNS Gajabahu was deployed for 22 days in the Seychelles region, monitoring and reporting on merchant vessel movements and providing guidance to ensure their safe passage to destinations. The highly professional manner in which the ship carried out its assigned duties received commendation from the task force commanders.
Other nations that contributed ships, aircraft, and personnel to Operation Prosperity Guardian included the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Singapore, and Seychelles, which provided harbour facilities.
In February 2024, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Richard R. Verma visited SLNS Vijayabahu at the Port of Colombo together with the U.S. Ambassador. During the visit, he announced the willingness of the United States Government to donate a fourth U.S. Coast Guard vessel to the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance its offshore surveillance capabilities.
This gift, the former U.S. Coast Guard cutter Decisive, officially joined the Sri Lanka Navy as Pennant Number P 628 in Baltimore, United States. The vessel subsequently sailed to Sri Lanka via the Panama Canal, crossing into the Pacific Ocean during its voyage.
On the evening of 4 June 2026, the vessel was formally commissioned as Sri Lanka Navy Ship Samudra Vijaya (SLNS Samudra Vijaya) at the Eastern Terminal of the Colombo Harbour.
The commissioning of SLNS Samudra Vijaya stands as a tangible outcome of Sri Lanka’s contribution to international maritime security through Operation Prosperity Guardian and further strengthens the Sri Lanka Navy’s capability to safeguard the nation’s maritime interests.
Please read my previous article on “Longest Passage – Greatest Voyage” on Sri Lanka Guardian. Longest Passage, Greatest Voyage
