The religious ceremony held for the depositing of treasures at the Square Chamber of the Sandahiru Stupa got off the ground under the auspices of Defence Secretary General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne in the sacred city of Anuradhapura this morning (28^th March 2021). Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne and President Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Chandima Ulugetenne also attended this spiritual event that was held amidst a religious setting on the ‘Medin’ full moon poya day.

Three hundred and seventy seven (377) recruits of 241^st intake of Sri Lanka Navy’s Regular and Volunteer Forces, passed out in Poonewa on 27^th March 2021, after successful completion of their basic training.

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne presided over the inauguration of 1^st reef cleaning project in 2021 organized by ‘Oceanlust’ e-magazine at Malima Club House, Uswetakeiyawa today (27^th March 2021). The main aim of the programme was to clean the natural coral reef extending northwards from the Kelani estuary and the neighboring shoreline.

Rear Admiral Meril Sudarshana, after having assumed office as the Deputy Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Navy on 21^st March 2021, called on Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne at the Navy Headquarters today (26^th March 2021).

The passing out parade of naval artificer apprentices of the 17th artificer intake of the Sri Lanka Navy was held at the main parade ground of Naval Institute of Technology in Welisara today (23rd March 2021). The ceremony was graced by Commandant Volunteer Naval Force, Rear Admiral Sanath Uthpala, as the Chief Guest.

On the sidelines of International Day of Forests that fell on 21st March 2021, Navy Seva Vanitha Unit (NSVU) launched a command-wise tree planting campaign, going by an idea mooted by its President, Mrs. Chandima Ulugetenne. At the invitation of the NSVU President, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne graced the main event in the Western Naval Command, held at SLNS Gemunu, Welisara on 21st March.

His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa the President and Commander-in- Chief of Armed Forces of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka appointed Rear Admiral Ruwan Perera as the Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Navy, with effect from 21st March 2021. Accordingly, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, formally handed over the letter of appointment to Rear Admiral Ruwan Perera at the Navy Headquarters.

Upon relinquishment of duties to which he was committed over the past 36 years, Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Sumith Weerasinghe retired from naval service today (21^st March 2021).

A special event organized by the Teaching Hospital Karapitiya to mark the 01^st anniversary of its newly constructed Palliative Care Unit was held on 18^th March 2021. Sri Lanka Navy enabled manpower for the construction of this unit which aims to provide physical, psychological and spiritual care to patients. In parallel with the celebratory event, a navy- refurbished pedal boat was handed over to the Palliative Care Unit under the patronage of Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera. This asset will be used for mental relaxation activities organized for the inpatients at this special unit.

The Northern Naval Command organized a programme to distribute school supplies among school children in the island sector, Jaffna under the patronage of Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Senarath Wijesooriya at Mandaitivu on 14th March 2021.