The United States’ Nimitz Carrier Strike Group, which comprises the oldest American aircraft carrier in active service, USS Nimitz, the cruiser USS Princeton, and destroyers USS Howard, USS Shoup, USS Pinckney, and USS Kidd, arrived at the port of Colombo on Saturday (28th Oct.).

They were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval traditions at a ceremony attended by the Director Naval Operations, Commodore Sanjeewa Dias and several senior naval officers. 

This is the first time a US aircraft carrier has visited Sri Lanka since 1985. The visit, which occurs after 32 years, follows the recent completion of the inaugural bilateral Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) naval exercise. The USS Nimitz, which is 333 metres in length and can accommodate 5,000 personnel onboard. It has a runway and carries fighter jets and attack craft.

Minister of Ports and Shipping, Mahinda Samarasinghe and the State Minister of Defence, Ruwan Wijewardena made a visit to the USS Nimitz while on her passage to Sri Lanka on board a Black Hawk helicopter of the US Navy on 27th October.

They were accompanied by the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka, Atul Keshap, the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe, the Director General Operations, Rear Admiral Piyal de Silva, and several senior naval officers.

The crew of the visiting USS ships are scheduled to participate in a number of events organized by the Sri Lanka Navy to strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two friendly navies during their stay in Sri Lanka.

The USS Carrier Strike Groups departs on 31st October on completion of a 4-day official visit. (ID)