The Iranian flotilla, consisting of the Bandar Abbas auxiliary ship and Naqdi destroyer, arrived at the port, the largest in Sri Lanka as well as in south Asia, Monday morning after travelling approximately 5,000 km, Press TV reported.

The flotilla, which had been dispatched earlier this month on a mission to protect shipping lines in the area, is scheduled to stay in the port for three days.During their stay the Iranian naval personnel onboard the flotilla are scheduled to visit senior naval officials of Sri Lanka.

In line with international efforts to combat piracy, the Iranian Navy has also been conducting anti-piracy patrols in the Gulf of Aden since November 2008 to safeguard the vessels involved in maritime trade, especially the ships and oil tankers owned or leased by Iran.