CONEX 20 draws to a close on successful note

The Colombo Naval Exercise (CONEX 20) organized by the Sri Lanka Navy came to a successful end today (30th January 2020).

The naval exercise organized for the second consecutive year was held in the seas off Colombo and it spanned 03 days, complemented by both Harbour and Sea Phases. The exercise was augmented by Offshore Patrol Vessels and Fast Attack Craft of the Navy as well as MI 17 and Bell 412 helicopters of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Making his remarks upon the successful culmination of the CONEX 20, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva highlighted that the operational efficiency depends on three pillars, namely the leadership, operational availability of equipment of operators and competency of the crew.

The CONEX 20 was held to the standard of an international naval exercise, to improve operational readiness and training capabilities of naval personnel, in a bid to maintain maritime security in the region.

Apart from that, exercises of this nature will be crucial for the interoperability between sister services and expansion of capacity of both Navy and Air Force when conducting combined exercises for the defence of the island’s territorial waters.