Commander of the Navy declares open VNF Museum

The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera inaugurated a newly established museum at the Volunteer Naval Headquarters today (24th October 2024). The event was attended by Rear Admiral Lashanth N Hewavitharana, Commandant Volunteer Naval Force (VNF), and Mrs. Dilrukshi Martenstyn, the beloved wife of late Commander (VNF) Cedric Martenstyn.

The foundation of Sri Lanka's naval force was laid with the enactment of the Naval Volunteer Force Ordinance No. 01 of 1937. After the establishment of the Regular Naval Force as the Royal Ceylon Navy on 09 December 1950, the Royal Ceylon Volunteer Naval Force was established on 09 January 1952. Over the years, this volunteer force underwent gradual evolution, eventually becoming the Sri Lanka Volunteer Naval Force in 1972.

To preserve the photographs and memorabilia of significant moments in the long history of the Sri Lanka Volunteer Naval Force, a new museum was initiated on 10th June 2024. This project, guided by the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, was supervised by Commandant Volunteer Naval Force, Rear Admiral Lashanth N Hewavitharana.

Before the inauguration of the museum, Mrs. Dilrukshi Martenstyn honoured the war memorial at the museum with floral tributes. This memorial bears the names of VNF personnel, including Cedric Martenstyn, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The Commanding Officer Volunteer Naval Force, Commodore (VNF) Susantha Dharmasiri, former Commanding Officer VNF, Captain DA Gunawardena (Retd), senior and junior officers from the VNF Headquarters and SLNS Lanka were also present on this occasion.