Commander of the Navy embarks on visit to Eastern Naval Command

The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda embarked on a formal visit to the Eastern Naval Command on 11th January 2025. During this visit he called at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Naval Dockyard, SLNS Vijayaba and SLNS Vidura. The visit focused on assessing key operational activities, construction progress, and welfare initiatives within the command, where Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda also addressed officer and sailor under trainees and naval personnel regarding the role of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The Commander of the Navy first participated in the 60th anniversary celebrations of the Diving and Salvage Unit. Following this, he visited the Naval and Maritime Academy, Naval Dockyard, SLNS Vijayaba, and SLNS Vidura to review their operations, ongoing construction, welfare initiatives, training programs, and accommodation facilities. During his visits, Vice Admiral Banagoda provided essential guidance to enhance the standards of these areas. He was accompanied by the Chief of Staff and Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, along with Heads of Departments.

At the Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda Auditorium, he addressed naval personnel and officer under trainees from ships, craft, and establishments within the Naval Dockyard, Trincomalee. Similarly, he engaged with naval personnel from SLNS Walagamba, SLNS Ranweli, SLNS Vijayaba, and SLNS Gotabaya at the naval establishment of Vijayaba. Additionally, the Navy Chief delivered his address to naval personnel from SLNS Vidura, SLNS Parakumba, SLNS Gokanna, SLNS Lankapatuna, and SLNS Kashyapa at SLNS Vidura.

Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda emphasized in his addresses that achieving national maritime security goals requires the unwavering commitment of each member in the Navy. He highlighted the Navy's responsibility to address emerging challenges and non-traditional maritime threats, such as drug trafficking in the Indian Ocean, while also conducting search and rescue operations and providing support to distressed maritime and fishing communities. Furthermore, he underscored the importance of deploying naval resources, skills, and personnel effectively to fulfil key initiatives like the Clean Sri Lanka National Programme, urging all naval personnel to commit themselves to this mission with determination.

The President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Anusha Banagoda also joined this formal visit to the Eastern Naval Command.