A refurbished Type 053 frigate formerly operated by China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) was formally handed over to the Sri Lankan government in a ceremony in Shanghai earlier this month.
The 111.7- by 12.4-metre Tongling will soon set sail for Sri Lanka and is expected to arrive by the end of June.
A Sri Lankan Navy official has said the frigate will also be deployed on search and rescue (SAR) missions in addition to conducting maritime security patrols.
