Commander of the Navy makes his first official visit to Eastern Naval Area
After assumption of duties as the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne made his first official visit to the Eastern Naval Command, which has its headquarters in Trincomalee, from 04th to 06th September 2015. The main intention of the visit was to inspect the operational and administrative functioning of the command and to witness the progress of ongoing construction projects in the area. The Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Neil Rosayro and the Heads of the Departments accompanied the Navy Commander throughout the inspection tour.
During the three-day inspection tour, the Commander visited SLNS Kashyapa in Vakarei, SLNS Lankapatuna in Lankapatuna, SLNS Vidura in Sampur, SLNS Parakumba in Sampur, SLNS Gokanna in Kinniya, SLNS Mahaweli in Trincomalee, SLNS Gotabhaya in Mullaitivu, SLNS Ranweli in Pulmudai, SLNS Walagamba in Thiriyaya, SLNS Vijayaba in Nilaweli, and the Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee.
Having had briefings from the respective Commanding Officers, on arrival, the Commander addressed the officers and sailors of several naval camps to appreciate their dedicated contribution in maintaining the overall security and community welfare. The officers and sailors, who are engaged in the re-establishment of Sampur naval camp and constructions in the Naval and Maritime Academy, were also addressed by the Commander on the respective construction sites. Continuing the tour, the Commander visited the proposed new fleet accommodation building site and the fleet admin building site.
During the inspection of the dockyard, a 48-men guard of honor with the Navy colors was accorded to the Commander prior to his addressing the sailors representing various camps in the area.
Addressing the officers took place in the Command Wardroom. During the speech, the Commander stated the responsibility of the Sri Lanka Navy in supporting to achieve military and national objectives and how that responsibility is effectively shouldered being a disciplined military institution. Approximately 1000 sea cadets, who were participating in their annual assessment camp, also had an opportunity to interact with the Commander.
During the inspection visit, the Commander opened the newly constructed Officers’ Holiday Bungalow at Thambalagamuwa where the Naval Agriculture and Livestock Project is located and witnessed the progress of the agriculture site there. To mark the occasion, a bag of Madathawalu, a rare species of rice, was presented to the Commander of the Navy. A tube well was also declared open for the uninterrupted supply of clean water to the naval personnel on deployment at the navy camp in Lankapatuna.
During the final leg of his Eastern Naval Area visit, the Commander of the Navy boarded several naval ships to inspect the operational readiness and proper maintenance of the fleet. He concluded his visit by visiting the Special Boat Squadron (SBS), the special element of the Sri Lanka navy, which he himself had founded and given leadership many a victorious operation.
