Turkish military ship calls on Colombo Port

Heralds new era of bilateral ties

Turkish Ambassador Semih Lütfü Turgut, on the occasion ofthe TCG Büyükada military ship’s Colombo Port Visit, said Türkiye and  Sri Lanka share common aspirations for peace, prosperity, and stability  in their respective regions and beyond.   

“It is with immense pleasure and a deep sense of honour  that I stand before you today to mark a significant occasion, the visit  of the Turkish Naval Ship, TCG Büyükada, to the beautiful port city of  Colombo.   

I extend a warm and heartfelt welcome to Lieutenant  Commander Anıl Bilgin, Commanding Officer of TCG Büyükada, other  officers and the crew of the ship.   

I would like to thank the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara and other Sri Lankan officers.    Türkiye, a nation with a rich maritime history and a  strategically vital position, has long been a key player in  international affairs,” he said.   

He said, “The TCG Büyükada, a state-of-the-art corvette,  represents the pinnacle of modern naval engineering and the commitment  of the Turkish Navy to regional stability and global peace.   

Its journey across the oceans to Sri Lanka is a testament  to the reach and professionalism of the Turkish Navy, and we are truly  privileged to host such an impressive vessel. It strengthens the  bilateral ties between our two nations. Such exchanges foster greater  understanding, build trust, and lay the groundwork for enhanced  collaboration across various sectors, including defence.   

As nations blessed with extensive coastlines and strategic  locations, the security of our maritime domains is not merely an  economic imperative but a fundamental pillar of our national  sovereignty and regional stability.   

Türkiye, bridging continents, and Sri Lanka, the Pearl of  the Indian Ocean, share a common understanding of the vital role that  safe and secure seas play in global trade, energy security, and the  interconnectivity of our world.   

In that regard, this visit provides a valuable opportunity  for professional engagement and knowledge exchange between our navies.     

In an increasingly volatile security landscape, such naval  diplomacy is crucial for building interoperability and addressing shared  challenges.   

The challenges we face are various, from piracy at sea to  illicit trafficking in drugs, arms, and humans, from illegal,  unreported, and unregulated fishing to environmental crimes.   

These threats undermine our collective prosperity and  stability. No single nation is powerful enough and effectively address  these transnational challenges alone. It is in this spirit of shared  responsibility and mutual benefit that we must enhance our collaborative  efforts,” he said.