1,768 naval personnel promoted on 71st Navy anniversary

The Sri Lanka Navy, popularly known as the country’s first line of defence, is proudly celebrating its 71st anniversary today (9 December). 

To coincide with the Navy’s customary celebrations, 84 officers and 1,684 ratings were promoted/advanced to their next higher ranks/rates with the recommendation of Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, effective from today. 

Following the directives and guidance of Commander of the Navy, a range of celebratory events are conducted in each Naval Command, giving pride and place to naval customs and religious rituals. On the side lines of these celebrations, capital ships of the Sri Lanka Navy will lay at anchor off Galle Face Green and the ships will be there on 9 and 10 December, allowing the general public to catch a glimpse of the Sri Lanka Navy’s naval power.

As part of the religious segment of the 71st anniversary celebrations, the ‘Kanchuka Puja’ and ‘Flag Blessing’ ceremonies were held at the Ruwanwelisaya and sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura to receive blessings. Meanwhile, permissible drink (Gilanpasa) offering was held at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy on 8 December, with the attendance of Commander of the Navy. This morning the Commander of the Navy offered ‘Buddha Puja’ for the Sacred Tooth Relic. Meanwhile, mid-day alms for the members of Maha Sangha have also been arranged as part of the series of religious proceedings.

Moreover, an all-night Pirith chanting ceremony and alms giving for 71 bhikkhus was held at the Welisara Naval Complex on 3 and 4 December. During these Buddhist religious rituals merits were transferred on fallen naval war veterans and blessings were invoked on the Commander of the Navy, naval personnel, both serving and retired, as well as their family members.

Similarly, the Christian Commemoration and Thanksgiving Service was held at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Colombo, Hindu Puja at Shri Ponnambalawaneswarar Kovil and Islamic religious rituals at Jummah Mosque on Chatham Street. All these events were held adhering to COVID-19 health and safety protocols.

Further, a navy sponsored Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant built at Kelambiyawa in Polpithigama, Kurunegala was due to be declared open by Deputy Area Commander North-western Naval Area today, to coincide with the 71st anniversary of Sri Lanka Navy.

The Navy traces its history a long way back. The Naval Volunteer Force Ordinance No. 01 of 1937 planted the seed for the first naval force in the country as the ‘Ceylon Volunteer Naval Force’. The move was in line with a policy decision taken by the British during World War II regarding the protection of their colonies. The Navy Act No. 34 of 1950 marked the beginning of the Regular Naval Force of Sri Lanka with the establishment of the ‘Royal Ceylon Navy’ on 9 December 1950. The Royal Ceylon Navy, which has grown steadily since then, became the ‘Sri Lanka Navy’ on 22 May 1972 when the country became a republic.

Although there is presently no visible enemy, the Navy acts as a major partner for the security of the Indian Ocean region. Thus, Sri Lanka Navy extends its fullest cooperation to curb illegal activities in the waters around the island, ensure maritime economic activities, and provide relief to the distressed naval and fishing community in Sri Lanka’s Search and Rescue region, in accordance with international conventions.

Since its inception, the Sri Lanka Navy has been on a distinguished journey, performing military, diplomatic and constabulary roles in Sri Lanka’s maritime zone, to prevent possible threats emanating from the sea. In this backdrop, the Sri Lanka Navy steams ahead under the able leadership Vice Admiral Ulugetenne and guidance of the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces President Gotabaya Rajapaksa, with a view to achieving the national aspiration by maintaining island waters open, safe and secure. To perform the Navy’s designated role in the best interest of the nation, its well organised workforce, as well as naval fleet units and resources, augment the first line of defence at all costs.