Sri Lanka Navy takes part in 77th National Independence Day celebrations with patriotic pride

The 77th National Independence Day ceremony of Sri Lanka was held at the Independence Square, Colombo this morning (04 Feb 25). The main ceremony went by the theme “Let's join the national renaissance”, was held under the patronage of the President and Commander – in – Chief of the Armed Forces, Hon. Anura Kumara Dissanayake. Filled with great pride, the Sri Lanka Navy added glamour to the elegant national spectacle held in a dignified sequence.

Upon the arrival of the Hon. President, the Tri-Service Commanders and the Acting Inspector General of Police accompanied him to the main dais. The Independence Day ceremony formally commenced with the unfurling of national flag by the Hon. President.

The ensuing smart parade was featured by 57 naval officers and 636 sailors in 08 divisions. Representing the Sri Lanka Navy, Commodore Prasanna Hettiarachchi was mounted on the pilot vehicle, leading the parade. The overall naval component was commanded by Commander Vajira Bandara and the Chief Drill Instructor of the component was Fleet Chief Petty Officer RAGS Ranasinghe.

In the 77th Independence Day parade the Naval Ensign was carried by Lieutenant Commander Harsha Weerakkodi. Meanwhile the Navy Band in the parade was led by Fleet Chief Petty Officer WAUR Priyadarshana. Subsequently, officers carrying President’s Colours conferred to the Navy, Naval and Maritime Academy, Northern, Eastern and Naval Fleet Commands, 4th Fast Attack Flotilla, Volunteer Naval Force and Special Boat Squadron marched in the parade. As the first division of the parade, the Naval Headquarters division commanded by Lieutenant Commander Kanishka Jayasinghe proceeded. The Drill Instructor of the division was Petty Officer JACK Jayasinghe.

The second naval division of the parade was the Naval Fleet Command division led by Lieutenant Commander Dinundu Nirmala. The Drill Instructor of the Naval Fleet Command division was Chief Petty Officer KAK Karunarathna.

Acclaimed as the teeth arm of Sri Lanka Navy - 04th Fast Attack Flotilla (FAF 4) division in the parade was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Sanoj Dilshan and the Drill Instructor of the division was Petty Officer GKDK Priyadarshana.

The next component of the colourful parade was the Navy Women’s division representing all branches. The division was headed by Lieutenant Commander Udani Perera and the Drill Instructor was Woman Able Seaman MT Minuwanthi.

The division of Navy's elite special operations force – Special Boat Squadron under the command of Lieutenant Commander Kanchana Dissanayake marched in the parade next. Chief Petty Officer DGAK Rajapaksha was the Drill Instructor of the Special Boat Squadron division.

Meanwhile, the Rapid Action Boat Squadron division commanded by Lieutenant Commander Chanaka Amarasiri joined the parade next. The Drill Instructor of the Rapid Action Boat Squadron division was Chief Petty Officer WSAK Weerasena. Next in line in the parade was the Sri Lanka Navy Marine division which was led by Lieutenant Commander S Mahindaraj. The Drill Instructor of the Marine division was Leading Seaman PGGN Chandrarathna.

Attired in their ceremonial dress, Sri Lanka Coast Guard joined the Independence Day parade last. Lieutenant Commander Kalhara Gunarathna carried the Coast Guard flag in the parade. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard division was led by Lieutenant Commander Dhammika Kumara and Chief Petty Officer DK Wijerathna was the Drill Instructor.

Keeping with the customs and traditions associated with the national flag hoisting, the Navy made all ceremonial arrangements ready for the dignified segment. In addition, the national anthem was sung and Jaya Mangala Gatha were recited to the music played by instrumentalists of the Sri Lanka Navy. Further, Sri Lanka Navy dancers performed in the cultural segment, marking the conclusion of the 77th National Independence Day celebrations.

The national event was also dignified by the presence of the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs. Anusha Banagoda, Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Damian Fernando and senior officers, representing the Navy.