Rear Admiral Nalin Navarathne assumed duties as Commander Southeastern Naval Area at the Command Headquarters on 16th June 2023.

Upon completion of its facility expansion, the Kankasanthurai harbour was declared opened today for general operations today (16th June 2023) with a view to making way for a passenger ferry service between India and Sri Lanka. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of the Minister of Ports, Shipping and Aviation, Hon. Nimal Siripala de Silva, Minister of Fisheries, Hon. Douglas Devananda and with the attendance of Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Aruna Tennekoon.

The annual feast of St. Anthony's Shrine, Kochchikade was held on a grand note on 13th June 2023, with the attendance of a large number of devotees. The main mass was conducted by the Archbishop of Colombo, His Eminence Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith.

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera today (12th June 2023) at the Navy Headquarters awarded Letters of Commendation to the naval personnel who engaged in a daring diving operation at the overturned Chinese fishing vessel (‘LU PENG YUAN YU 028’). The Chinese fishing vessel encountered this unfortunate turn of events when it was in the Australian Search and Rescue Region, south of Sri Lanka on 16th May 2023. The commendable diving operation carried out by Sri Lanka Navy divers in search of survivors also garnered international recognition and praise.

The Sri Lanka Branch of the Nautical Institute United Kingdom has recognized the academic excellence of two (02) officers who excelled in courses offered by the Sri Lanka Navy. The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera and the President of Sri Lanka Branch of the Nautical Institute, Commodore Ravindra Thisera presided over the certificate awarding ceremony held on 10th June 2023 at the Organisation of Professional Associations of Sri Lanka.

The Visit Board Search & Seizure (VBSS) Regional Training Course conducted at the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) Headquarters and Sober Island, Trincomalee concluded on a successful note. The certificate awarding ceremony was held under the auspices of Commanding Officer SBS, Commander PCPA Liyanage on 09th June 2023 at the Malima Sober Island Resort, Trincomalee. The course was sponsored by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) Programme.

Coinciding with the World Oceans Day, the Sri Lanka Navy on 08th June 2023 launched a mangrove planting initiative in the lagoon area of Panama in the Southeastern Naval Command. The event was held under the patronage of Deputy Area Commander Southeastern Naval Area, Commodore Ruwan Rupasena. The World Oceans Day of this year was celebrated (08th June), on the theme 'Planet Ocean: Tides are Changing’.

In a bid to enhance collaboration and knowledge sharing among naval personnel, an Experience Sharing Forum organised by the Naval Fleet Command was held at SLNS Rangalla on 08th June 2023. The event was graced by the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, as the Chief Guest.

The Embassy of the People's Republic of China in Sri Lanka on 06th June 2023 organised a special ceremony in Colombo to felicitate the diving team of the Sri Lanka Navy, which engaged in a heroic diving operation at the overturned Chinese fishing vessel ‘LU PENG YUAN YU 028’. The Chinese vessel upturned in the Australian Search and Rescue Region, south of Sri Lanka on 16th May 2023. The event was presided over by the Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China in Sri Lanka, H.E. Qi Zhenhong and Chief of Presidential Staff and Senior Adviser on National Security to the President, Mr Sagala Ratnayaka.

Rear Admiral Hiran Balasuriya assumed duties as Director General Civil Engineering at the Office of Director General Civil Engineering, Navy Headquarters on 06th June 2023.