Over 1,700 promoted to coincide with Navy 70th anniversary

The Navy Commander participating in the flag blessing ceremony(pic courtesy Navy hq)

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne has promoted 1,729 personnel to coincide with the Navy’s 70th anniversary, which falls today (9).

As part of the anniversary celebrations, a wide range of events are being held in every naval command, giving prominence to time-honoured naval traditions and religious events. On the side-lines of these celebrations, capital ships of the Sri Lanka Navy will be brought to the anchorage off the Galle Face Green, from 09th to 13th December, for viewing of the public .

Commencing the religious segment of the 70th anniversary celebrations the ‘Kanchuka Puja’ and ‘Flag Blessing’ ceremonies were held at the Ruwanwelisaya and sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Anuradhapura on 12th and 13th November. During the ceremony, 87 flags including the National Flag, Buddhist Flag, Naval Ensign and flags of naval commands, establishments, ships and craft received the blessings of the sacred Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. Meanwhile Gilanpasa was offered at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy on 08th December and alms would be offered to the Maha Sangha today (09th December).

Further, an all-night Pirith chanting ceremony has been organized on 27th December to transfer merits on fallen naval war heroes and invoke blessings on the Navy. This meritorious event will be followed by an alms giving for 70 members of Maha Sangha, on 28th December.

The remaining religious events of other faiths are set to be held at St. Lucia’s Cathedral, Colombo, Fort, Jummah Masjid, Chatham Street and Shri Ponnambalawaneswaram Kovil, Colombo.