Sri Lanka Navy proudly celebrates its 68th anniversary today
 

The 68^th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy which boasts of an illustrious history falls today (09^th December 2018). A series of programmes organized to mark the anniversary celebrations of the ‘Golden Fence around the Nation’ – Sri Lanka Navy got underway during the past couple of weeks under the expert guidance and directives of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe. As such, a number of celebratory events were held giving prominence to religious and social welfare activities and time-honoured naval customs and traditions.

The series of religious activities organized to coincide with the 68th Navy Day celebrations commenced on 30^th November with the Navy Flag Blessing Ceremony and Kapruk Pooja held at the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura. The Joint Christian Commemoration and Thanksgiving Service was held at St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Colombo. Meanwhile, the Islamic Religious Ceremony and a special Hindu Religious Ceremony were conducted at the Jummah Masjid Mosque on Chatham Street, Colombo and Shri Ponnambalawaneswaram Hindu Temple in Kotahena respectively.

In parallel with these religious activities, a lighting ceremony (Pahan Pooja) was held at the Naval War Heroes’ Memorial at SLNS Gemunu on 01^st December, transferring merit on fallen naval war heroes. The occasion was also attended by members of naval families. Subsequently, an all-night Pirith Chanting Ceremony followed by an Alms Giving and Pirikara Offering for 68 Bhikkus was held, invoking blessings on the Commander of the Navy, all naval personnel and their family members.

Meanwhile, yet another procession of religious ceremonies took place along with a ‘Gilanpasa Pooja’ held at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy on 08^th and 09^th 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. 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.

The President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Sandya Ranasinghe, Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva, Area Commanders, Director Generals, senior officers, sailors and their family members were present on these religious events.

Apart from these activities, a wide range of religious and Corporate Social Responsibility programmes had been organized in all naval commands across the country to mark the 68th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy.