Navy begins first working day of 2022 taking oath of allegiance to public service

The first working day of the New Year - 2022 was inaugurated at the Navy Headquarters this morning (03rd January 2022), taking the oath of allegiance to public service, under the patronage of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne.

The proceedings of the event got underway after observation of two - minute silence in honour of the fallen war heroes. Subsequently, naval personnel took the oath pledging their allegiance to public service.

Addressing the gathering, Commander of the Navy at the outset expressed his best wishes for a happy New Year 2022 to naval personnel, their family members and civil staff employees. He also expressed his gratitude to the men attached to SLN fleet units, for carrying out their duties to the best of their ability despite the pandemic situation in 2021, a challenging year in the face of the spread of the COVID-19 not only in Sri Lanka but also across the entire world. Commander of the Navy further mentioned that SLN assets would be readily available for prompt deployment in the New Year as well and necessary steps would be taken to facilitate those engage in their noble duty for the nation.

Adding more, he highlighted the upkeeping of Navy’s unique Divisional System and respective responsibilities of officers and sailors. In addition to naval duties, the Navy expects all naval personnel to support nation-building initiatives in line with the current health protocols in the New Year as well, Commander of the Navy further opined.

Commenting on the discharge of duties responsibly in the face of the COVID - 19 health issue, Principal Advisor on Health and Nutrition and Prevention of Spreading Communicable Diseases including COVID-19, Surgeon Rear Admiral GSR Jayawardane stated that in the year 2022, all naval personnel shall carry out their duties in accordance with the existing health guidelines in order to achieve the aspirations of the nation.

The event was held adhering to COVID-19 protocols for the prevention of possibilities of the pandemic and it was attended by Director Generals, flag rank officers, officers and sailors. Concurrently to the main ceremony, similar events were held in each Naval Command with the attendance of respective Area Commanders.