Public welfare measures in the North by the Navy

Under the patronage of the Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Piyal de Silva, two field eye clinics were conducted at Madagal and Karainagar on 24^th and 25^th September 2015 respectively to treat the eye patients of remote areas in the Northern Naval Area.

Approximately 800 people in the area underwent screening for eye diseases and more than 400 spectacles were provided free of charge during the clinics, which were conducted with the assistance of the staff of M/S George Gunarathne.

The assistance provided by the George Gunaratne company to conduct the clinics as part of the Sri Lanka Navy’s community development and social responsibility project was highly appreciated by Rear Admiral Silva and conveyed his special thanks to the staff.

Conducting health camps for patients in need of treatments in the Northern Naval Area, which includes all the islands, was initiated by then Rear Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne  as the Commander Northern Naval Area. During his tenure in 2011 and 2012, approximately 75 field health camps were conducted with the assistance of both government and private institutions. Due to the appreciation received from the civilians and the need felt by the patients in the area, the Sri Lanka Navy continues the social program not only as a welfare measure to extend support in maintaining the health standards of the community but also to enhance the relationship between the people in the area and the Navy.