Colombo, Sep 19 (IANS): The Sri Lankan and Indian navies Monday began their largest joint exercise off the east coast of the island nation, an officer said.

The joint exercise, code-named "SLINEX II", will conclude Wednesday and is aimed at enhancing inter-operability of the two navies, according to the Sri Lanka Navy.

Two offshore patrol vessels, one fast missile craft, two fast
gunboats and six fast attack craft from Sri Lanka, while a destroyer, a frigate, a missile corvette, a landing ship tank and two fast attack craft, along with a maritime patrol aircraft from the Indian Navy will participate in the exercise, Xinhua reported.

According to the Sri Lanka Navy, the drill is expected to provide the two to finetune the concept of joint naval operations and enhance skills by gaining from each other's experience.

This is the second exercise between the two countries since Sri Lanka ended its three decade war with the Tamil Tiger rebels in 2009.