Two Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (JMSDF) ships, “Kirisame” and “Yuudachi”, with Commander 7th Escort Division Captain Hiroshi Ito on board , arrived at the Port of Colombo today (19th April 2011) on a two-day goodwill visit.
The ships were ceremonially welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy on their arrival. A special programme has been arranged by the Sri Lanka Navy to enhance the friendly relations between the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force and Sri Lanka Navy during the ships’ stay in Sri Lanka.
Commander 7th Escort Division Captain Hiroshi Ito paid a courtesy call on Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral Damayantha Dharmasiriwardene at SLNS Rangalla . He was accompanied by Commanding Officer of “ Kirisame ” Commander Munekazu Mizutani , Commanding Officer of “ Yuudachi ” Commander Yoshinabu Hayashida and Chief of the Somalia Area Dispatched Investigation Team Commander Makoto Tatsumiya of the Japanese Coast Guard. A reception was held onboard “ Yuudachi ” in the afternoon and it was attended by senior Sri Lanka Navy officials.
Kirisame and Yuudachi are Murasami Class destroyers. Each is 151 meters in length with a displacement of 4550 tons and carries a complement of 180 personnel. The ships are heading home upon completion of an anti-piracy mission off the coast of Somalia and in the Gulf of Aden. [mappress] Source: Sri Lanka Navy, April 19, 2011