News
Navy hosts sailors’ get-together for its 74th Anniversary
The Sri Lanka Navy has arranged an array of events, prioritizing religious observances and longstanding naval traditions, to commemorate its 74th Anniversary. As part of the celebrations, a vibrant sailors’ gathering took place on Saturday (09th November 2024) at the Wave n’ Lake Navy Hall in Welisara. Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, presided over the occasion.
This friendly gathering aimed to express gratitude towards retired senior sailors and acknowledge the contributions of serving senior and junior sailors from various naval commands in attendance. Thus, they were able to exchange their service and retired life experiences, allowing serving members to share their service experience and retired senior sailors to impart their experiences in post-naval life. Representing retired senior sailors, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy TG Neelkaru (Retd) and Woman Master Chief Petty Officer TMSU Bandara (Retd) shared their insights, while Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy WMGA Kumara also offered his personal experiences.
At the event, the Commander of the Navy presented a wheelchair to Leading Steward BHHGP Pushpakumara, through funds made possible by the Naval Welfare Directorate. Following this, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera addressed the gathering, emphasizing that the Navy’s progress over its 74 -year history has been shaped by the dedication and professionalism of its sailors. He urged everyone to uphold this legacy of unwavering commitment to the Navy’s unique military, diplomatic, and constabulary roles, which are key to achieving the nation’s maritime goals. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of unified teamwork among all sailors, stressing the need to maintain focus on maritime security across vast waters, despite varying external perspectives.
Adding further, he emphasized the importance of maintaining a strong bond between officers, senior sailors, and junior sailors to ensure the efficient and effective execution of the Navy’s unique mission. With this unity, he noted, the Navy can collectively address challenges faced by personnel and stay dedicated to its duties, even during difficult times.
The lively occasion was captivated by the musical performances, instrumental displays, and dance presentations by the Navy Band and Cultural Troupe. Additionally, the Commander of the Navy, Chief of Staff, senior officers, and attending sailors took pleasure in partaking in the traditional meal, ‘Barakana’.
The Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, senior officers from the Navy Board of Management, the Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, Area Commanders, flag-ranking officers, officers, retired senior sailors, a cross section of senior and junior sailors and women sailors were also present on this occasion.
In terms of the provisions of the Establishments Code on payment of festival advance to government officers, there’s a possibility of obtaining rupees 10,000/- as an advance for celebrating festivals of Theipongal, Ramazan, Sinhala and Hindu New Year, Wesak, Deepavali, and Christmas as well as for pilgrimages (Sri Paada pilgrimage and Hajj pilgrimage).
Provisions have been given to recover the said advance in 08 installments or if required earlier without interest. It has been proposed by the Budget 2026 to increase the said festival advance up to rupees 15,000/-.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposal submitted by the Minister of Public Administration, Provincial Councils and Local governments to revise the relevant provisions so that the festival advance can be increased up to rupees 15,000/- .
As per the approval given by the cabinet meeting held on 02-06-2025, action is being taken at present to offer the underutilized lands/properties of the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Etate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation Company which are under the Ministry of Plantation and Community Infrastructure which have been identified under stage one to suitable investors.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Plantations and Community Infrastructure to provide following lands/properties on a lease basis to the suitable investors for optimal utilization following the prescribed procurement procedure.
• underutilized lands/properties identified under stage two owned by the Sri Lanka State Plantation Corporation, the Janatha Estate Development Board, and the Elkaduwa Plantation
Company,
• The Mawarala watte land and the Tea factory 40.48 hectares in extent, located in Matara District belonging to the Tea Shakthi Fund.
• The underutilized land of 1,541 hectares in extent of Kondachchi Estate is enjoyed by the Sri Lanka Cashew Corporation.
The drafting of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has commenced with the objective of equitable distribution of the benefits of the fisheries industry and the sustainable management of fisheries and aquaculture. This policy has been updated from time to time according to current requirements. However, steps have not been taken to obtain the approval of the Cabinet of Ministers for that purpose.
According to the policy declaration of the present government, ‘Vistas of Prosperity and Splendor’ the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy has been redrafted, updating the aforementioned policy in line with the economic and development objectives of the government.
The recommendations of the Department of National Planning have been received for the drafted policy.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers has approved the proposal presented by the Minister of Fisheries, Aquaculture, and Marine
Resources to implement the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, integrating it with other relevant policies.
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Festival advance for government officers to be increased
Providing underutilized lands/properties to suitable investors for optimal utilization.
Implementation of the National Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy
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