The Chief of Naval Staff of Bangladesh, Admiral M Shaheen Iqbal, who is currently on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka, met with Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne at the Navy Headquarters today (19th January 2022).

Sri Lanka Navy conducted successful naval exercises with the German Navy’s FFGH (123 Class) frigate ‘BAYERN’, arrived in Colombo on 15th January 2022, and Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) ships ‘URAGA’, and ‘HIRADO’ which arrived in Trincomalee on 16th January, on official visits. Having conducted these naval exercises respectively off the Western and the Eastern Coasts of the country, the ships departed the island on 18th January.

The sacred relics which were recently unearthed from the Deegawapiya Stupa site were ceremonially placed in a “Relic House” at the Deegawapiya temple amidst blessings of the members of Maha Sangha on the ‘Duruthu’ full moon poya day on 17th January 2022. The spiritual event which was held under the patronage of Defence Secretary and the Chairperson of ‘Archaeological Heritage Management Presidential Task Force’ for Eastern Province, General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne was attended by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne.

The President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit (NSVU), Mrs Chandima Ulugetenne reopened the facility-expanded NSVU welfare outlet at SLNS Mahanaga on 16th January 2022. Following an idea mooted by the President of NSVU, the facilities and space of this welfare outlet were expanded to offer more welfare benefits to naval personnel and their family members.

A special programme initiated by the Navy to hand over food commodities to the ‘Grace Girls’ Home’ in Uppuweli, Trincomalee was held at this child and adult care centre, under the patronage of Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Sanjeewa Dias on 16th January 2022.

After successful treatment given by Sri Lanka Navy’s Diving and Salvage Unit, Trincomalee, a foreigner who was down with the Decompression Sickness, regained health and was discharged on 13th January 2022.

A coconut planting campaign launched by Sri Lanka Navy was held at SLNS Uththara on15th January 2022 under the patronage of Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera.

The High Commissioner of Australia to Sri Lanka HE David Holly and a group of officials met with the Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Sanjeewa Dias at the Command Headquarters, on 13th January 2022.

Sri Lanka Navy commenced an inoculation drive to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to the general public at the Keththarama Maha Viharaya, Colombo and Nawaloka Ground, Welisara from this morning (14th January 2022). Supporting the COVID-19 vaccination programme carried out by the Armed Forces focusing on the general public to control the transmission of the pandemic, the Navy joined hands with the vaccination efforts.

Coinciding with the Annual Camp of Volunteer Naval Force (VNF), a beach cleaning programme was held at the Uswetakeiyawa Beach on 09th January 2022.