The 68th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy which boasts of an illustrious history falls today (09th December 2018). A series of programmes organized to mark the anniversary celebrations of the ‘Golden Fence around the Nation’ – Sri Lanka Navy got underway during the past couple of weeks under the expert guidance and directives of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe. As such, a number of celebratory events were held giving prominence to religious and social welfare activities and time-honoured naval customs and traditions.

Upon completion of their basic training, thirty four (34) Midshipmen belonging to the 58^th Cadet Entry intake and two (02) Midshipmen of the 56^th Cadet Entry intake passed out at a colourful commissioning parade held at the main parade ground of the Naval & Maritime Academy (NMA) in Trincomalee yesterday (07^th December).

In parallel with a series of events organized for the upcoming 68th anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy, Islamic religious observances were performed at the Fort Jumma Mosque on Chatham Street on 06th December.

A Hindu religious programme to invoke blessings on the Sri Lanka Navy’s 68^th anniversary which falls on 09^th December, was held at the Shri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil in Colombo on 05^th December.

The Inter-command Boxing Tournament 2018 of the Sri Lanka Navy was held at the Eastern Naval Command in Trincomalee from 27^th to 30th November.

The National Wrestling Championship which was organized by the National Wrestling Federation, was held at Jeyaraj Fernandopulle Indoor Stadium in Kadolkele, Negombo from 4^th to 6^th December.

A colourful ceremony to invoke blessings on naval flags was held at Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura, under the patronage of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe, on 02^nd and 03^rd December.

The Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe paid a visit to the North Central Naval Command on 2^nd and 3^rd December and he was received by the Commander North Central Naval Area Rear Admiral Muditha Gamage.

To coincide with the 68^th anniversary celebrations of the Sri Lanka Navy, an all-night ‘Pirith’ chanting and offering of alms were held at SLNS Gemunu in Welisara on 30^th November and 01^st December.

The Deputy Director General (Policy and Plans) of Indian Coast Guard Inspector General VS Pathania, Commanding Officer of ICGS Samar Deputy Inspector General Arunabh Bose and Commanding Officer of ICGS Aryaman Deputy Commandant Karan Kishore with other senior officers who arrived Sri Lanka on 1^st December, met the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe at the Naval Headquarters in Colombo, on 3^rd December.