Navy rings in the season with Christmas carol service at Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre
As the celebrations around the festive season begin, a Christmas carol service organized by the Sri Lanka Navy Seva Vanitha Unit and Navy Christian Council was held at the Nelum Pokuna Mahinda Rajapaksa Theatre on the evening of 23rd December 2021 on a successful note. At the invitation of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne and the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Chandima Ulugetenne, the colourful event was graced by the First Lady, Mrs. Ioma Rajapaksa as the Chief Guest.
After the distinguished guests were warmly welcomed by Commander of the Navy and the President of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, the Navy Christmas carol service commenced in a festive setting.
Going by an idea mooted by the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit and guidance of Commander of the Navy, this Christmas carol service was held to coincide with the forthcoming Christmas spirits. The Nelum Pokuna Theatre was filled with festive cheer and Christmas songs sung by naval personnel, popular artists as well as spirited renditions of evergreen carols presented by children of naval families and members of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit. Further, Navy band and dance troupes made the evening more colorful, captivating the august gathering present on this occasion.
The event held in a blessed atmosphere befitting the spirit of Christmas had been organized adhering to COVID-19 protocols to prevent possibilities of the transmission of the pandemic. Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security, Major General (Retd) Jagath Alwis and his spouse, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva and his spouse, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana and his spouse, former Commanders of the Navy, senior retired naval officers, Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral YN Jayarathne, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy, Commander Western Naval Area and Commandant of Volunteer Naval Force, Rear Admiral Upul De Silva, Area Commanders, Executive Committee Members of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Director Generals, flag rank officers, naval personnel and their family members were present on this occasion.