Sri Lanka Navy Special Boat Squadron honoured with President's Colour

Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President and Commander - in - Chief of the Armed Forces of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka awarded President's Colour to the Sri Lanka Navy Special Boat Squadron (SBS) today (01st March 2024). The momentous ceremony was held at the main parade ground of Special Boat Squadron Headquarters, Trincomalee, in precision with time-honoured naval tradition. The distinguished honour was bestowed upon the Special Boat Squadron, in recognition of its significant role in the success of humanitarian operation and its members’ ongoing efforts to achieve the country's maritime aspirations by combating an assortment of illegal activities at sea.

The Special Boat Squadron, demonstrating its commitment to the motto "Fortune Favours the Brave”, has been commanded twice in the past by Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the current Commander of the Navy. Trained in specialized combat techniques across sea, land, and air, its men possess a noble resolve for the motherland, beyond their call of duty. The Special Boat Squadron was established back on 08th November 1993 in Karainagar, Jaffna, meeting the need for a special squadron to suppress terrorist activities in the shallow waters around the northern islands and lagoons. Established with 02 officers and 38 sailors, it was led by then Lieutenant Commander Ravindra Wijegunaratne.

In the daring missions undertaken by the Special Boat Squadron to defend the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity, forty-two (42) personnel have been disabled, and sixty-two (62) brave men have sacrificed their lives.

The bestowment of prestigious President's Colour is testament to the squadron’s unwavering dedication and invaluable contributions in humanitarian operation and relentless efforts to safeguard our seas, battling illicit activities to advance country’s maritime ambitions.

In his speech at the ceremony, the President expressed his profound appreciation for the invaluable contributions of the Special Boat Squadron to the motherland. In addition, he also highlighted the Sri Lanka Navy's pivotal role in conducting operations on the high seas and particularly its recent contribution in securing the safety of navigation in the Red Sea. The President emphasized that the recognition bestowed upon the SBS would serve as a morale boost, inspiring the squadron to continue its noble resolve and uphold its exemplary performance, as it has done in the past.

Earlier on 07 occasions, the Sri Lanka Navy, its Commands, Flotilla, Naval and Maritime Academy and Volunteer Naval Force have been decorated with the President's Colours. Accordingly, the Sri Lanka Navy (on 09th December 1975), the Naval and Maritime Academy (on 13th December 2003), the Northern, Eastern and Afloat Commands (on 09th December 2010), the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla (on 22nd June 2019) and the Volunteer Naval Force (on 18th August 2023) have been accorded the prestigious President’s Colours.

In addition, impressive demonstrations presented at the squadron premises and Nicholson Cove beach by SBS personnel were the cynosure of all eyes. The several segments of these demonstrations were also supported by a Bell 212 helicopter from the Sri Lankan Air Force.

To mark the significance of this event, the President Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe posed for a group photograph, and the Commander of the Navy presented a commemorative memento to him.

At the invitation of the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and Commanding Officer Special Boat Squadron Captain Dharmasiri Herath, this dignified ceremony was graced by Governor Eastern Province Hon. Senthil Thondaman, State Minister of Defence Hon. Premitha Bandara Tennakoon, Chief of Staff to the President and Senior Adviser to the President on National Security Mr Sagala Ratnayaka, Defence Secretary General Kamal Gunaratne (Retd) and Chief of Defence Staff General Shavendra Silva, former Navy Commanders, Chief of Staff of the Navy Rear Admiral Pradeep Rathnayake, senior naval officers of the Board of Management, Commander Eastern Naval Area Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva, Area Commanders, flag-ranking officers, former Commanding Officers of SBS, officers and sailors were also present on this occasion.