Jewel of Muscat arrives at Galle Port
by Uvindu Illeperuma
The Jewel of Muscat, a replica of a 9th century sailing vessel arrived at the Galle Port. Coinciding with this historic occasion a welcome ceremony was organized by the Foreign Ministry.
The Jewel of Muscat epitomizes a great feat of maritime engineering. She doesn’t have an engine and only wind has helped her to reach her destinations. Her voyage commenced last February from Oman and the final destination will be Singapore. This ship is equipped with no modern techniques and only the old navigation system paves the way for her to call at selected ports in the Indian Ocean.
It makes its passage through ancient sea routes where the Galle Port stood as a significant doorway for trade and commercial ties.
Foreign Ministry Secretary Romesh Jayasinghe said the Galle Port has been for many centuries a doorway for dealing with foreign lands including Arabia. As we all know the Jewel of Muscat is an exact replica of a 9th century sailing vessel which was constructed and operated from Gulf sea.
The Voyage from Oman to Singapore which called at Indian, Sri Lankan and Malaysian Ports is being made using the same sea faring techniques that were used 1,100 years ago.
One of the objectives envisaged by Jewel of Muscat project is to further consolidate the bilateral ties that Sri Lanka and Oman enjoy. Introducing Sri Lankan as a fine tourism destination to the Omani market is among the objectives of the project.
Southern Province Chief Minister Shan Wijeayalal de Silva, Southern Province Governor Kumari Balasooriya, and Navy Commander Vice Admiral Tissara Samarasinghe were among the distinguished guests who gathered to mark this historic event.
(Source: Daily News – 20th April, 2010)