News
Final salute: Royal Navy officer’s ashes laid to rest at Ostenburg Point, Trincomalee
In a solemn and dignified ceremony held at Trincomalee’s Ostenburg Point on Sept. 27, the ashes of the late Lieutenant Norman Schofield, a Royal Navy officer, and Mrs. Marian Schofield, his late spouse, were scattered with full naval honours.
The text of the Navy headquarters statement: “Between 1956 and 1958, Lieutenant Norman Schofield served as a communication officer at the HMS Highflyer naval base in Trincomalee, which was regarded as the second-largest naval base in the world during that period. In accordance with the officer’s final wishes, who passed away in 1999, his and his spouse’s ashes were respectfully scattered following naval traditions.
Honouring the final wish of Lieutenant Norman Schofield, who passed away 25 years ago, his ashes were intended to be scattered at sea in Trincomalee. Unfortunately, this practice has been discontinued due to various complications. According to a special request made by the Defence Adviser of the British High Commission in Sri Lanka, Colonel Darren Woods, to the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, the ceremony of scattering the ashes of the late Lieutenant Norman Schofield and his wife at Ostenburg Point was organised by the Naval Dockyard.
Lieutenant Norman Schofield, enlisted in the Royal Navy as a signalman in August 1935, and received his commission in June 1947, during the Second World War. After being assigned to various ships and bases of the Royal Navy, he served as the Port Signal Officer at HMS Highflyer Naval Base, in Trincomalee, from 1956 to 1958. He served in Sri Lanka, stationed at the Trincomalee Naval Base, until its transfer to the Sri Lankan Government in 1957. Honouring the officer’s final wish, his and his wife’s ashes were scattered at sea near Ostenburg Point, Naval Dockyard Trincomalee – a place he held dear to his heart.”
The second day of the “Vesak Bhakti Gee Saraniya”, held in parallel with the “Buddha Rashmi Vesak Kalapaya” jointly organized by the Hunupitiya Gangaramaya Temple, the Presidential Secretariat and the Prime Minister’s Office, commenced on Tuesday (13) at 6:30 p.m. under the patronage of Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat premises.
The evening featured musical performances by renowned vocalist Ilyas Beg and the Sri Lanka Air Force Bhakti Gee Troup, accompanied by the Air Force Band. A Vesak lantern exhibition was also held at the venue. The event was attended by the Chief Incumbent of Gangaramaya Temple Venerable Dr. Kirinde Assaji Thero, along with several senior officials of the Presidential Secretariat.
This Bhakthi Gee programme will continue today [May 14] and tomorrow at the same location. Additionally, a short-eats dansala is being held near the Presidential Secretariat for the benefit of the public visiting Colombo for Vesak, and will continue until May 16.
Meanwhile, a ‘Buth Dansala’ organized jointly by the Presidential Secretariat and the Sri Lanka Army was inaugurated yesterday near the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of senior military officers. A large number of devotees from across the country attended the event.
In line with the ‘Buddha Rashmi’ and ‘Bauddhaloka Vesak Kalapya’, several Vesak programmes have been organized in the vicinity with the support of the Presidential Secretariat. These include the illumination of nearby government buildings and roads with decorative lights, and the display of Vesak lanterns, with the active participation of the Presidential Secretariat staff.
[PMD]
The French Navy Ship ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ which arrived in Sri Lanka on a goodwill visit (09 May 25), departed the island on Tuesday (13 May).
The Sri Lanka Navy bade customary farewell to the departing ship at the Port of Colombo, following naval traditions.
During the ship’s stay in Colombo, crew members of ‘BEAUTEMPS BEAUPRE’ visited some tourist attractions in the country. In addition, the Commanding Officer and a group of
crew members of the ship called on senior officers of the Sri Lanka National Hydrographic Office (SLNHO) to discuss key hydrographic matters of bilateral importance.
News
“Clean Sri Lanka” joins hands to Improve facilities and sanitation at Kotmale Regional Hospital
Following the bus accident in the Garandiella area of Kotmale, a large number of injured individuals were admitted to the Kotmale Regional Hospital for treatment. In response, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme has collaborated to improve the facilities and sanitation of the hospital.
Accordingly, the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme actively worked to clean the hospital ward complex and the hospital premises, aiming to create a comfortable environment for the patients’ treatment and to enhance other facilities.
A notable aspect was the voluntary participation of the local community in this effort. The “Clean Sri Lanka” secretariat appreciates the dedication shown by the doctors and hospital staff of the Kotmale Regional Hospital, who provided emergency treatment to those injured in this unexpected incident despite having access to limited resources.
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