Navy conducts first ever alms giving on board a ship

Rafik Jalaldeen in Trincomalee

The first ever alms giving ceremony on board a ship paying tribute to the war heroes was held in the seas off Trincomalee last morning.

The Navy before holding the victory ceremony for liberating the entire nation from the ruthless LTTE terrorists conducted religious ceremonies and an alms giving in tribute to the war heroes at its Trincomalee Naval Base.

Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda paying tribute to the war heroes who sacrificed their lives and those disabled in battle said, it is our bounden duty to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice for the Motherland after three decades of terrorism.

The Navy Commander said they brought pride and victory to the nation by sacrificing their lives while battling the terrorists at sea. Admiral Karannagoda laid flowers at the War Heroes memorial at the Trincomalee Navy Headquarters to respect the war heroes. Two minutes silence was observed while religious leaders blessed the occasion.

An alms giving to the war heroes was held yesterday on board the Sayura vessel in the Trincomalee harbour. This was the first time in the history of Sri Lanka Navy that an alms giving ceremony was held board a ship, Navy Spokesman Captain D.P.K. Dassanayake said. Pirith chanting for the war heroes was held in the Trincomalee Headquarters on Saturday night.

Navy Commander Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda, Chief of Staff Rear Admiral Tissara Samarasinghe, Commander of the Eastern Operational area Rear Admiral Susith Weerasiri, Commander of Northern Operational Area Rear Admiral Somathilaka Dissanayake and other senior Naval officers were present.