Sri Lanka Navy Vessels Prepped for Red Sea Deployment

COLOMBO (News 1st); At President Ranil Wickremesinghe's behest, the Sri Lanka Navy is preparing to send ships to the Red Sea and surrounding waters.

Sri Lanka Navy Spokesperson Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya said that the deployment will be in support of Operation Prosperity Guardian, a US-led initiative aimed at combating Houthi rebel activity in Yemen.

While no specific date has been announced, Sri Lanka Navy Spokesperson Captain Gayan Wickramasuriya confirmed they are making arrangements for the deployment of vessels to the Red Sea.

Operation Prosperity Guardian covers a wider area than just the Red Sea, encompassing the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman. India has already deployed six warships as part of this initiative.

On the 3rd of January, speaking in Colombo Sri Lankan President Ranil Wickremesinghe revealed the country's decision to join international efforts against the Houthis in Yemen, and announced the deployment of a Sri Lanka Navy ship to the Red Sea.

The Sri Lanka Navy acting on that order, commenced the preparation of vessels for deployment.

Houthi rebels, demanding an end to Israeli attacks on Palestine, have launched drone and missile attacks on ships in the Red Sea, prompting vessels to bypass the route and sail around Africa.

This has created a crisis in the commercial shipping sector, necessitating international cooperation to ensure maritime security.