Navy plants 5000 mangrove saplings in lagoon areas of Jaffna Peninsula

The final phase of the 5000 mangrove sapling planting programme, in lagoon areas of the Jaffna Peninsula, worked off at the Ponnale lagoon on 17th October 2021, under the patronage of Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera.

The timely initiative kicked off at the Kilali lagoon in Jaffna on 03rd October 2021, as part of the Navy's Mangrove Conservation Project, set in motion by the Northern Naval Command, aiming to plant 5000 mangrove saplings for conservation of lagoon ecosystem in the area.

Accordingly, the final leg of this two week long mangrove planting programme came to a successful end with the event in Ponnale lagoon on 17th October, held under the patronage of Commander Northern Naval Area.

The event was held adhering to COVID-19 protocols due to pandemic concerns. District Secretary of Jaffna, K Maheshan, Deputy Area Commander Northern Naval Area, Commodore Saman Perera, Naval Officer in Charge (Island Sector) and Commanding Officer SLNS Welusumana, Commodore Hensly Peiris, Commanding Officer SLNS Elara, Captain Anura Weerasinghe, a limited group of naval personnel from Northern Naval Command, Chairman Tokyo Cement Cooperation, SR Ganam as well as state and private sector representatives who assisted the successful conduct of the project.