Navy lends assistance to national coastal cleaning programme

The inaugural ceremony of the national coastal cleaning programme was held under the patronage of His Excellency the President Maithripala Sirisena at the Galle Face Green on 19th September 2015. The event was organized by the Marine Environment Protection Authority to coincide with the International Day of Cleaning Beaches. Representing the Sri Lanka Navy, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne was in attendance with the officers and sailors in the Western Naval Command at the inauguration of the national programme aimed at cleaning local beaches, which are fast losing their beauty due to the increasing coastal pollution.

Lending its assistance to the presidential initiative, the Navy carried out coastal cleaning in several areas covering the Galle Face Green, Moratuwa up to Egoda Uyana, Crow Island up to Negombo and Calido beach in Kalutara.

Several ministers, the Secretary of Defense, Army and Air Force Commanders, a large number of armed forces personnel and officials were also present on the occasion.