For seven decades the Sri Lanka Navy has been the country’s first line of defence. Its officers and sailors have bravely laid down their lives on both sea and land to protect the country and its people. On December 9, the ‘Men in White’ marked the 70th anniversary of Sri Lanka’s Naval Force with pride by holding a number of celebrations across the country’s Naval Commands.
On the day, the public was able to catch a glimpse of the Navy’s capital ships as they were brought to anchorage off the Galle Face Green in Colombo. Keeping with this year’s theme for its anniversary celebrations ‘This is Your Navy, Know Your Navy’ the Naval Force displayed their ships to create awareness among the public about the Force. Other arrangements had also been made to educate civilians about the role, task, and prowess of the fleet of the Sri Lanka Navy. One thousand seven hundred and twenty nine naval personnel from different ranks were also promoted to their next rank as part of the celebrations. Keeping with tradition a number of religious observances were held, led by the current Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne including the blessing of the Navy flags at the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi.
The Sri Lanka Navy’s force and fleet have significantly increased since its beginning in 1950. It was then known as The Royal Ceylon Navy and was renamed as the Sri Lanka Navy in 1972 when the country became a republic.
Today, the Navy has five offshore patrol vessels, two missile boats, 12 patrol boats, more than 35 fast attack craft, six landing ships/crafts and many littoral crafts along with six auxiliary vessels. It has a force of 48,000 personnel out of which around 15,000 are deployed for shore duties. The Navy plays a vital role in nation-building and has also reorganised itself for the future defence of the island. The Navy has expanded its maritime operations to fisheries control and counter human trafficking. The responsibility of ensuring the security for ports as well as sea lanes of communication, protection of marine resources and marine ecosystems, enforcement of maritime law in the island’s as well as international waters, creation of a better marine environment to meet national needs in line with foreign policy and national security are some of the tasks the Navy focuses on today.
The Navy also patrols the seas off the Sri Lankan coast to curb piracy, maritime terrorism, drug trafficking, arms smuggling, human trafficking, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, and marine pollution.
The Sri Lanka Navy has also been involved in providing assistance and support to the community in facing natural disasters and other social issues such as Chronic Kidney Disease.
According to the Navy, it seeks to achieve national aspirations based on economic, social, and cultural well-being and to overcome all challenges posed in the seas and hopes to strengthen the country’s first line of defence in the future.
Courtesy: SL Navy website
Pix: Rukmal Gamage and Navy Media Unit