Sri Lanka Navy turns 67 and proudly celebrates its anniversary
 

The 67th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy, which claims for an illustrious history and has rendered an incomparable service to the motherland, falls today (09 December 2017). Remaining true to its mandate, the golden fence around the nation – Sri Lanka Navy played a decisive role to eliminate terrorism and usher an era of peace and reconciliation. While performing its noble service with the same level of dedication, the Navy celebrates its 67 years of age giving prominence to religious and social welfare activities and time-honoured naval customs and traditions. All these Navy Day programmes were initiated under the expert guidance and directives of Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe.

The series of religious activities organized by the Navy to coincide with the 67th Navy Day celebrations commenced on 21st November with the Navy Flag Blessing Ceremony and Kapruk Pooja held at the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, Joint Christian Commemoration and Thanksgiving Service held at St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Colombo, Islamic Religious Ceremony held at the Jummah Masjid Mosque in Chatham Street, Colombo and a special Hindu Religious Ceremony conducted at the Shri Ponnambalawaneswaram Hindu Temple in Kotahena.

In parallel with these religious activities, a lighting ceremony (Pahan Pooja) was held at the Naval War Heroes’ Memorial at SLNS Gemunu, transferring merit on fallen naval war heroes. The occasion was attended by members of naval families and relatives of the naval personnel who paid the supreme sacrifice in honour of the motherland. Subsequently, an all-night Pirith Chanting Ceremony followed by an Alms Giving and Pirikara Offering was held with members of Maha Sangha in attendance, invoking blessings on all naval personnel and their family members.

Meanwhile, yet another procession of religious ceremonies took place along with ‘Gilanpasa Pooja’ held at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy on the 08 and 09 December. Subsequently, the Commander of the Navy also called on the Most Venerable Mahanayake Theras of the Malwatte and Asgiriya Chapters to receive their blessings for the anniversary celebrations. On completion of a special Buddha Pooja dedicated for the sacred Tooth Relic, an Alms Giving to the Buddhist monks was held to bestow merit on the naval personnel and their families. Besides, a Gilanpasa Pooja, a Bodhi Pooja and a Dharma Deshana programmes are scheduled to be held at the Kelaniya Rajamaha Viharaya to coincide with the Navy Day celebrations. The President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Sandya Ranasinghe, Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Neil Rosayro, Area Commanders, Director Generals, senior officers, sailors and their family members were present on these religious events.

As part of this tour, the Navy Commander also visited the construction sites of Asgiri and Malwatta Chapters and Temple of the Tooth Relic to review the progress of ongoing construction projects undertaken by the Navy at respective locations.

Apart from these activities, a wide range of religious and community service programmes have been organized in all naval commands across the country to mark the 67th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy. The Navy is tremendously proud of the honourable service it has been rendering over the last 67 years in different capacities and it is truly determined to extend the unsullied contribution in time to come for the betterment of motherland and all Sri Lankans under the able leadership of the present Commander of the Navy.