Reaffirmed strongly with the necessity of the continuation of National Security Adviser (NSA)-level meeting between India, Sri Lanka and Maldives, a secretariat for trilateral National Security Advisers on Maritime Security Cooperation was formed under the auspices of Secretary of Defence, General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne at the Navy Headquarters today (01^st March 2021).

The capping ceremony and pledging of allegiance to the service by 44 Naval and Air Force nursing students who studied at Naval Nurses’ Training School, SLNS Thakshila was held under the patronage of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, at the Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake Auditorium, SLNS Parakrama today (25^th February 2021). This batch of nursing students from both Navy and Air Force was enlisted in the year 2019 to the Naval Nurses’ Training School which is accredited to the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU).

The memorial lecture organized by the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS) to honour late Admiral Clancy Fernando was held at ‘Suhurupaya, Battaramulla on 19th February 2021. The event which was graced by Secretary of Defence, General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne as the Chief Guest was attended by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne.

The multi-national maritime exercise AMAN-2021 hosted by Pakistan Navy under the theme ‘Together for Peace’ formally commenced at Pakistan Navy Dockyard in Karachi, Pakistan on 12th February 2021. Representing Sri Lanka Navy at this multi-national maritime exercise, Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Gajabahu took part in the 7th edition of AMAN series this year.

The third edition of Colombo Naval Exercise -2021 (CONEX-21), hosted by Sri Lanka Navy, concluded on successful note on 10th February 2021. Meanwhile, the final day exercises of CONEX – 21 held in seas off Colombo for the third consecutive day were subjected to the review of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne.

The refurbishment work proposed under ‘Galle Face Green Project’, which is to be set in motion for the transformation of Galle Face promenade, was subjected to the inspection of the President His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (08th February 2021).

The main ceremony of 73rd National Independence Day under the theme ‘A Wealthy Tomorrow - Prosperous Motherland’ was held in a dignified sequence at the Independence Square, Colombo this morning (04th February 2021). The apex of the this year’s ceremony was headed by the President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa and the annual national spectacle was coloured by Sri Lanka Navy, filled with great pride.

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne today (29th January 2021) presided over a ceremony at Weera Mohan Jayamaha Maha Vidyalaya in Dambulla, where he unveiled a memorial statue built in commemoration of late Rear Admiral Mohan Jayamaha who made the supreme sacrifice for motherland.

The newly appointed Commandant of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC), Major General Nishantha Herath called on Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne at Navy Headquarters today (27th January 2021).

The high tide experienced last evening (24th January) refloated the bulk carrier MV Eurosun that ran aground on the Little Basses Reef, about 5.5 nautical miles (10km) off the southeastern coast of the island on 23rd January. Following the ship moved out of the danger, it was anchored in a safer area about 05 nautical miles southwest of the Little Basses Reef.