Sri Lanka Navy takes part in 75th Independence Day celebrations with patriotic pride

The 75th National Independence Day ceremony of Sri Lanka was held at the Galle Face, Colombo on the morning of 04th February 2023. The main ceremony went by the theme “Let’s Leap Towards the Centenary” was held under the patronage of Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President and Commander - in - Chief of the Armed Forces of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka. Filled with great pride, Sri Lanka Navy added glamour to the elegant national spectacle held in dignified sequence.

Upon the arrival of the President, the Chief of Defence Staff, tri-service commanders and the Inspector General of Police accompanied him to the main dais. The Independence Day ceremony formally commenced with the unfurling of National Flag by the President. Keeping with the customs and traditions associated with the National Flag hoisting, Navy’s Communication Branch made all ceremonial arrangements ready for the dignified segment. In conjunction with the flag-hoisting, the National Anthem was sung and Jaya Mangala Gatha was recited to the music played by Sri Lanka Navy’s Oriental Orchestra.

The ensuing smart parade was featured by 56 naval officers and 886 sailors in 08 divisions. Similarly, 02 officers and 57 sailors represented the Sri Lanka Navy in the Mechanized Column. Representing the Sri Lanka Navy, Director Naval Personnel Commodore Rajapriya Serasinghe was mounted on the pilot vehicle, leading the parade.

Representing the naval fleet, SLNS Sayurala, SLNS Gajabahu and SLNS Vijayabahu had been dressed and at anchorage off the Galle Face. Similarly, HMS ‘Tamar’ of the Royal Navy and ‘KRI Raden Eddy Martadinata - (REM - 331)’ of the Indonesian Navy in port of Colombo on official visits had been dressed to honour the 75th National Independence Day of Sri Lanka.

In the 75th Independence Day parade the Naval Ensign was carried by Lieutenant Commander Sahan Himara along with officers carrying President’s Colours conferred to the Navy, naval squadrons, commands and establishments as well as Command Flags, amidst rhythmic beating of drums by the Navy Band. The overall naval component was commanded by Commander Sudesh Vidanage.

As the first naval squadron of the parade, the Naval Headquarters division commanded by Lieutenant Commander Amila Siriwardena proceeded and it was followed by the Naval Fleet Command division led by Lieutenant Commander Suneth Samarakoon. Committed to nurture a stable ocean region the Naval Fleet Command has been awarded the President’s Colours in recognition of its pivotal role.

Acclaimed as the teeth arm of Sri Lanka Navy - 04th Fast Attack Flotilla (FAF 4) division in the parade was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Moditha Abeykoon. FAF 4 is well-known for its ‘Hit Hard Hit First’ approach against terrorists at sea. Established in 1988, the FAF 4 has been bestowed President’s Colour for its pivotal role in terminating the suicide attack craft threat at sea once and for all.

The Special Boat Squadron, established in 1993 and lives by the motto of ‘Fortune Favours the Brave’ was represented today by the division commanded by Lieutenant Commander Kalinga Liyanarachchi. The incumbent Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera has commanded the elite Special Boat Squadron on two occasions.

Meanwhile, the Rapid Action Boat Squadron division commanded by Lieutenant Commander Jayampathi Buddadasa joined the parade next. Established in 2007 the Rapid Action Boat Squadron operates in littoral waters remaining true to their motto ‘Victory beyond the Infinity’. Further, the Sri Lanka Navy Marine division of today’s parade was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Malith Withanarachchi. Established in 2016, Navy Marines are known to be pros in amphibious operations, in conformity with the motto ‘Vigour, Valour, Victory’. The next component of the colourful parade was the Navy Women’s division representing all branches. The division was headed by Lieutenant Commander Pradeepa Rathnayake.

Attired in their ceremonial dress, Sri Lanka Coast Guard joined the Independence Day parade next. Founded in 2010, Sri Lanka Coast Guard functions as a maritime law enforcement force in the maritime and fisheries sectors. The Sri Lanka Coast Guard division in the parade was led by Lieutenant Commander Udara Mallawarachchi.

Soon after the marching contingents, the extravagant military parade set the stage for Sri Lanka Navy’s Mechanized Column and other hardware which rolled down the boulevard of Galle Face. The Mechanized Column was commanded by Commander Luxman Dayarathna and it consisted of main weaponries, indigenously made naval craft and equipment used by the Special Boat Squadron, Rapid Action Boat Squadron and the Diving Unit of Sri Lanka Navy.

Another significant highlight of the 75th Independence Day ceremony was the parachute display presented by the tri-services and the Police. The Navy parachute teams comprises Commander Kamal Tissa Kumara (with 107 jumps), Master Chief Petty Officer LAAP Kumarasinghe (with 111 jumps), Chief Petty Officer GCMK Geekiyanage (with 169 jumps), Chief Perry Officer WA Siriwardena (with 140 jumps) and Petty Officer MGSA Randir (with 87 jumps) behind them. Further, Commander Kamal Tissa Kumara landed at the Galle Face Green with the Naval Ensign.

The event was also dignified by the presence of members of Maha Sangha and religious dignitaries of other faiths, Prime Minister Hon Dinesh Gunawardena, diplomatic corps, ministers, Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda, Secretary of Defence General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd), Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and President Navy Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs Mala Lamahewa, Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana, Inspector General of Police Chandana Wickramarathna, Chief of Staff of the Navy, senior military officers and distinguished invitees.