Commander of the Navy pins insignia on 17 sailors completed Clearance Diver III course - No 64

The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, as the Chief Guest, graced the passing out and insignia pinning ceremony of 17 naval personnel who successfully completed the Clearance Diver III course No 64. The event was held at the Diving School in the Naval Dockyard, Trincomalee on 07th March 2024.

Sailors who volunteered for the diving section and successfully completed the diving course were honored with the prestigious diving insignia. Additionally, the Commander of the Navy awarded a trophy to the sailor who demonstrated exceptional skills during this challenging training. Accordingly, Ordinary Seaman MPT Sandeepa was adjudged the Best Diver of the course.

Speaking on this occasion, Commander of the Navy at the outset congratulated the sailors who successfully completed the Clearance Diver III course. The Navy Chief expressed pride in the sailors who successfully completed the course, highlighting their ability to overcome challenges and apply the acquired knowledge to their careers. He also said that throughout the six months of arduous training, the sailors had effectively integrated theoretical and practical insights for their future service and emphasized the importance of dedication to fulfilling their duty to both the Navy and the motherland.

Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera also extended his appreciation to the Commandant of the Naval and Maritime Academy and the officers and sailors of the Diving School, for their dedicated efforts in successfully conducting the Clearance Diver III course No 64. He also expressed gratitude for the invaluable support provided by the families of the sailors, which greatly facilitated them for smooth completion of the course.

The Sri Lanka Navy Diving Unit plays a dual role, not only training Navy divers but also providing specialized diving training to personnel from sister services, particularly the Special Forces. Navy divers play a crucial role in inspecting, repairing, and maintaining the underwater profile of ships, ensuring the Navy's fleet operates smoothly. They also handle tasks like removing, installing, and defusing underwater explosives during combat situations. Their expertise is invaluable in these operations.

In addition, underwater search and security clearance by inspections of ship’s bottoms, sea areas and port / harbour clearance operations, salvage and clearance of vessels, assisting distressed vessels, underwater surveys, search and recovery of equipment, underwater construction, installation and maintenance of underwater security systems in port and harbour security, underwater photography and video filming in support of naval and non- naval tasks, rescuing persons in distress at sea, providing diving assistance to fix defunct sluice gates, assisting general public in natural disasters are some of the other key tasks performed by Navy divers.

The Sri Lanka Navy Diving Unit also plays a significant role in conserving marine environments through the Navy's Marine Environment Conservation Project. Navy divers have successfully implemented a coral replanting project along the North, East, Northwest, West, and South coasts, contributing greatly to the conservation of coral environments.

Meanwhile, the divers who successfully completed this course will be able to play an active role in the Navy’s diving support operations in due course.

Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva, Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet, Rear Admiral Chandima Silva, Deputy Area Commander and Commandant Naval and Maritime Academy, Commodore Buddhika Liyanagamage, senior officers from the Navy Headquarters and Eastern Naval Command and family members of the sailors who successfully completed the Clearance Diver III course were also present on this occasion.