US provides Sri Lanka with largest ship in fleet despite ongoing human rights concern

by Thusiyan
Aug 29, 2018

The United States Coast Guard has officially handed over a high endurance cutter vessel to the Sri Lankan navy, making it the largest ship in the Sri Lankan fleet, despite ongoing human rights concerns. 

The former USCGC Sherman is a 115m long ship “equipped with state of art weapons and machinery,” boasted a Sri Lankan navy website.

At a ceremony held aboard the ship, which is currently docked in Hawaii, Sri Lankan and US military officials were joined by a Buddhist monk and a cake was cut to mark the handover.

“The cutter, a gift from the people of the United States, will be the largest ship in the Sri Lankan fleet and strengthens defense cooperation between the United States and Sri Lanka,” said the US Embassy. “The new ship will join the SLNS Samudura, also a former U.S. Coast guard vessel that was gifted to Sri Lanka in 2004.”

For the last month, 110 Sri Lankan sailors have been training with the US crew in Hawaii, learning how to operate the vessel. It is set to sail-away in February 2019.

The handover of the ship comes amidst growing ties between the US and Sri Lanka, despite concern over human rights abuses committed by Sri Lankan troops.

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