Defence Secretary visits Northern Naval Command

The Secretary to Ministry of Defence Major General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) made an official visit to the Northern Naval Command on 12^th December 2019. He was accompanied by Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva, and Commanders of the Army and Air Force.

Earlier in the day, the Defence Secretary took part in a ‘Wreath Laying Ceremony’ conducted at ‘War Heroes Monument’, Palali, to honour fallen war heroes who made the supreme sacrifice for the defence of the motherland. Subsequently, he addressed tri-service personnel performing duties in the Jaffna Peninsula at Sri Lanka Air Force Station Palali. The occasion was attended by tri-service Area Commanders in north, senior officers and other ranks.

Thereupon, Major General Gunaratne (Retd) visited the Northern Naval Command in Kankesanthurei where he was warmly received by Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kapila Samaraweera. The Defence Secretary was thoroughly enlightened on Northern Command, its structure, role and tasks and operational aspects by the Command Operation Officer (North). Further, the Secretary also visited the new pier construction site at SLNS ‘Uththara’ with other dignitaries.

The Secretary was then accompanied to the ‘Jaffna Project’ carried out by Commander Northern Naval Area. He was comprehensively briefed of the layout and other important aspects of the project by Command Civil Engineering Department, at the site. Mementoes were also exchanged by the Defence Secretary and the Commander Northern Naval Area to mark the significance of this event.