Navy Commander Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne who visited the Southeastern Naval Command, called at several Naval establishments and deployments of the Command on January 9, 10.
The visit was his first official stopover at the Southeastern Naval Command, upon assuming office as Commander of the Navy. The Navy Commander was accompanied by Navy Seva Vanitha Unit president Mrs. Chandima Ulugetenne.
During the two-day visit, Vice Admiral Ulugetenne called at Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Mahanaga and Deegayu as well as Naval Deployments administered under those bases, in the Southeastern Naval Command, with a view to look into the overall operational, administrative and welfare matters of the Command.
Visiting the Oluvil Harbour and Oluvil Naval Deployment administered by SLNS Deegayu, which are vital for command naval operations, the Navy Commander in consultation with the senior officers of the Command, gave necessary instructions regarding the Navy’s involvement for the provision of security and recommencement of operations at the Oluvil Harbour.
In his address to Naval personnel, Vice Admiral Ulugetenne emphasized the importance of individual contribution to be made when achieving the overall aspirations and highlighted that everyone should be proficient in their own field of work while performing their duties. Elaborating on the future expansion of the naval fleet, with a significant investment on bigger and advanced platforms, to expand surveillance capabilities in Sri Lankan waters, the Navy Commander urged all naval personnel to hone their technical knowhow and competencies to operate the new-fangled technology that is to be welcomed into the service in the near future.
Vice Admiral Ulugetenne hailed the Commander Southeastern Naval Area, Commanding Officers and all naval personnel for steaming ahead the routine of Southeastern Naval Command and proper maintenance of Oluvil Quarantine Centre, in these testing times. Further, he instructed all Naval personnel to continue operations of the organisation unhindered, adhering to health and safety guidelines stipulated in the backdrop of COVID-19 pandemic situation.
The visit also saw Vice Admiral Ulugetenne paying homage to the Muhudu Maha Viharaya and calling on its Chief Incumbent Thera to receive his blessings. He instructed the senior officers of the Command to make an all-out contribution for the security and future renovation work of the temple.
President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit Chandima Ulugetenne declared open the newly constructed Seva Vanitha Abans Showroom at SLNS Mahanaga for the benefit of naval personnel in the Southeastern Naval Command.
Commander Southeastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Jayantha Gamage, senior officers from the Navy Headquarters, Heads of Departments, Commanding Officers and a group of officers from the Southeastern Naval Command were also present.
