REFUGEE

Dec 11, Colombo: Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe marking the Navy's 59th Anniversary celebrations ceremonially launched the VVIP Passenger craft built by the Navy yesterday (Dec 10).

The luxurious vessel named "Admiralty Craft' was refurbished at the Inshore Patrol Craft Construction Site at SLNS Mahasen in Welisara exclusively for VVIP excursions, Naval sources said.

According to the sources it is entirely designed and built by the Navy in a record time of six months under the direction of Commander of the Navy. Director General Engineering Rear Admiral MAJ de Costa closely supervised the task force until its completion.

The craft is 15.58 meters (51 feet) in length and 3.33 meters (11 feet) in breadth. It is powered by two engines of 3500 Horse Power capacity each and comes fully air-conditioned with TV and a Home Theatre system. The craft has a maximum speed of 28 knots and travels very comfortably in sea state 03. It can accommodate 14 passengers and has a crew of 11, sources added.