Commandant’s Cup Sailing Regatta 2026 begins in Trincomalee

The sixth Commandant’s Cup Sailing Regatta commenced off Dutch Bay in Trincomalee on 19 August, featuring officer under-trainees from six countries.

The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of the Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Buddhika Liyanagamage, at the invitation of the Commandant Naval and Maritime Academy, Commodore Nalinda Dissanayake.

The regatta, hosted by the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee, aims to strengthen mutual relations through sport, promote excellence in seamanship and foster cooperation among the navies of participating nations.

Officer under-trainees representing naval academies from Bangladesh, China, India, Indonesia, Italy and Sri Lanka are participating in this year’s event. Held under the supervision of the Yachting Association of Sri Lanka (YASL), the regatta will run from 19 to 22 August, with competitors taking part in the Cup Championship and Open Championship categories.

The annual event is also intended to promote water sports in Sri Lanka and attract greater interest in the country as a destination for water-based sporting activities.

The event is conducted with the support of the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau and the Ministry of Education, while Sirasa TV providing media partnership coverage.