Western Naval Command hosts colourful New Year Festival in Welisara

The New Year Festival (Bak Maha Ulela) of the Western Naval Command was held on a colourful note at the ground of Naval Institute of Technology in the Welisara Naval Complex on 20th April 2024. At the invitation of the Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Saman Perera, the event was graced by the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, as the Chief Guest and the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs Mala Lamahewa.

The New Year Festival commenced in the morning with a marathon and bicycle race, followed by traditional Sinhala and Tamil cultural and folk sports activities. The day-long festival concluded with a prize-giving ceremony for the winners, graced by the presence of the Navy Commander and the President of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit.

In the marathon event, Able Seaman LKCD Kumara and Woman Ordinary Seaman WALTR Welivita won first places in men’s and women’s events respectively. Further, Petty Officer SBRN Hemakeerthi and Woman Able Physical Training Instructor WGDO Karunanayake won the first places in men’s and women’s bicycle races. Meanwhile, Sub Lieutenant WVDAD Wevita and Woman Able Musician SMHC Sewwandi were adjudged Aurudu Kumara and Kumariya of the Western Naval Command’s New Year Festival.

The event was also attended by the Director Generals of the Navy, flag-ranking officers, officers from the Navy headquarters and Western Naval Command, executive and committee members of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, lady officers, sailors, civil staff employees were also present on this occasion.