For centuries, the prosperity of nations has been established and sustained via safe maritime routes. Thus, a harbour is of paramount importance to an island. Ancient Ceylon had a rich maritime history dating back to the glorious rule of our warrior kings who realized this and took advantage of the ocean. All fleets need a safe harbour and Sri Lanka is indeed blessed with the naturally fortified harbour in the Eastern Province town of Trincomalee.
History indicates that the harbour was first occupied in the 5th century and was known as Gokanna, according to the prudent chronicler of the Mahavamsa. During the 12th century the ruling king, Parakramabahu 1 consolidated his naval defences with a fleet of vessels. On hearing that one of his royal envoys was humiliated in Burma the infuriated monarch ordered his fleet to sail to Burma and launch a seaborne attack.
Thereafter, the adventurous Portuguese invaded Ceylon and had a strong presence in Trincomalee, in 1612. Subsequently, the defiant Dutch drove away the Portuguese and established a naval fleet in the island in 1659. Around 1672 French Naval ships engaged the Dutch fleet but were repulsed. Power is subject to change and once again the Dutch were subdued by the gallant ships of the British Admiralty on 8 January 1782. Steadily, the military strategist of the British Empire gained control of our maritime provinces. By 1795, the British Fleet was established in the Trincomalee harbour which is naturally protected by two large headlands and well camouflaged. It soon transformed into a garrison town, where a large number of naval establishments came up.
A primary coastal defence of the Royal Navy was their massive cannons. One such gun weighing 12 tons can still be seen at Ostenburg Ridge. The Royal Navy fleet in Trinco was subject to an air raid by the Japanese in April 1942 led by Admiral Nagumo. The carrier HMS Hermes was attacked and sunk, and the fuel tanks in Trinco also bombed.
Plaque
After Ceylon was bestowed with Independence in 1948 the Naval Base continued to function. A commemorative plaque at the naval grounds records that it was on 15 October 1957 that the Royal Navy Ensign was taken down and the Royal Ceylon Navy Ensign proudly hoisted under the patronage of Prime Minister S.W.R.D.Bandaranaike.
Today, Trincomalee harbour also facilitates many massive cargo ships and helps sustain the economy. It is believed that the harbour can shelter large ships without limitation on draught. The British established cargo handling at Clappenburg Bay. The Port of Trincomalee has 2023 hectares of water and was thus desired by many foreign nations. In his book “The influence of sea-power upon history” author, Admiral Alfred Mahan (US Navy) talks about the importance of having a good fleet to make an impact. Many venerate this book as a guide to naval strategy. As declared at the International Colombo Maritime Conference, the government hopes to expand and develop the Port of Trincomalee to international standards, with assistance from India and Japan.
Over the years the Sri Lanka Navy has grown into a formidable fleet, which has been the first line of defence. Today, the Eastern Naval Command Headquarters occupies a massive land area of almost 850 acres. It is the largest naval command in Sri Lanka and also the biggest military base. It is home to Naval Dockyard, SLNS Tissa, Naval Maritime Academy, Naval Institute, Base Naval Hospital and Diving School.
Its piers are busy with IPCs (inshore patrol crafts), OPVs (offshore patrol vessel) and Dvoras going out to see. The man at the helm of this vibrant command hub is the Commander, Eastern Naval Area (COMMEAST) Rear Admiral Travis Sinniah, a veteran naval officer.
It is interesting to note that his father was also a Navy officer, and the Rear Admiral grew up in the Dockyard as a child, inhaling sea breeze, and became immersed in naval tradition. Rear Admiral Sinniah is ably assisted by his dynamic Deputy Area Commander (DAC), Commodore Ruwan Perera.
Facility
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| Commodore Ruwan Perera - Deputy Area Commander | Rear Admiral Travis Sinniah- Comm East |
CommEast explains the importance of the Trincomalee harbour with its deep water facility. The Naval base is the ‘heart’ of the Sri Lanka Navy. They patrol and protect a vast expanse of ocean securing the sea line of communication and the exclusive economic zone (EEZ). The resplendent Koddiyar Bay with its confluence of fresh water and sea water makes it conducive for an abundance of fish. It is believed that the deep submarine canyon here is only second to the Mariana Trench in the western Pacific Ocean which has a known depth of 10,994 meters.
During the years of conflict with the LTTE the Eastern Naval Command played a multi faceted role. First, they secured and kept open the Colombo- Kandy road which allowed for the supply of all food and medicine to reach Trinco. From there the navy safely ferried these items to the Army and the civil population who were stranded. It was the Navy’s ability to keep the sea route secure up to the North, which duly empowered the Army’s bold counter offensive on land, supported with aerial firepower by the Air Force. The Navy had the capability and capacity to move large loads of supply and also troop reinforcements. The LTTE had established a supply network via sea. The Navy increased patrols and engaged the sea tiger craft on many occasions and cut off this artery of supply which drained the rebels of their fighting capacity.
The naval fleet was therefore designed to meet such threats and saw the formation of the Fast Attack Flotilla in 1984 which comprises 10 Squadrons of fast attack craft, of which the Israeli built Dvora is a key element. These men fought the longest and fiercest sea battles.
Sailing is no easy mission, as the crew must also fight the weather and the sea. When Rear Admiral Sinniah was a Captain in command of SLNS Sagara the gallant ship unleashed her 30 mm guns and destroyed terrorist warehouses.
During the final stages of the war on a request by the ICRC naval personnel engaged in special missions to urgently ferry the elderly, children and dying folk to safety and medical care. In addition, the Eastern Naval Command deployed its medical staff to treat the large numbers of displaced civilians.
Protect
Old gun on Ostenburg Ridge
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In the post war period the Navy continues to protect the nation’s coastal borders. They also strive to mitigate illegal poaching, human and drug trafficking. They offer safe passage and rescue when required, to all sea going vessels in keeping with the Right of Innocent Passage. By securing the seas they sustain international conduits of trade, as most of our imports and exports move via the sea.
The Navy also engages in joint training exercises with foreign navies to enhance the Inter -Operability of forces. The officers and sailors of the Eastern Naval Command continue their vital mission as sentinel of the eastern sea of Sri Lanka.
As Admiral Mountbatten said, “Whoever controls Trincomalee harbour, commands the Indian ocean”.