In the gentle swell of Colombo’s harbour on June 13, diplomacy arrived not with fanfare, but with the polished poise of steel and tradition. The Turkish Navy’s TCG Büyükada (F-512), sleek and sovereign, welcomed Acting Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd)—not just as a guest, but as a partner in a growing maritime dialogue.
He was received with full honours by His Excellency Semih Lütfü Turgut, Ambassador of Türkiye to Sri Lanka, and Lieutenant Commander Anul Bilgin, the ship’s commanding officer. With elegance and clarity, the Turkish envoy praised Sri Lanka’s unwavering role in regional peacekeeping and underscored the lasting value of their bilateral partnership.
From the deck of the vessel, Major General Jayasekara addressed the gathering, casting the ship’s visit as a powerful maritime gesture of goodwill and shared strategic intent. He emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between Sri Lanka and Türkiye in naval defence, regional security, and technological advancement.
The Minister revealed that earlier in the day, he had engaged in productive talks with the Turkish Ambassador, the Military Attaché, and the commanding officer—conversations focused on deepening defence ties through training, innovation, and capacity-building.
He also praised Türkiye’s remarkable growth as a global pioneer in defence manufacturing, with particular strength in naval engineering and aerospace technology, a field in which its self-reliant industry has earned international respect.
After the formalities, the Acting Minister toured the ship—its decks lined with discipline and vision—guided by the captain himself. Standing among a distinguished gathering of senior naval officers, diplomats, and defence attachés, the atmosphere was one of poised reflection and shared resolve.
There were no dramatic declarations, no loud ceremonies. Just the silent strength of two nations meeting over open waters, guided by the quiet conviction that true alliances are built not in moments, but in mutual missions—where trust, respect, and purpose sail side by side.
