Navy key stakeholder in nation-building – Army Commander

Ranil Wijayapala in Trincomalee

By defeating the ruthless LTTE terror organisation and by adopting to emerging challenges the Sri Lankan defence forces have proved beyond doubt that they are among the best in the world in fulfilling national obligations, Army Commander Lt. General Daya Ratnayake said on Friday.

He was the Chief Guest at the commissioning parade of Navy midshipmen held in the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee, Army Commander Lt. General, Daya Ratnayake paid a tribute to the Sri Lanka Navy saying that the Sri Lanka Navy is among the best Navies in the world.

“It is a fact that had it not been for the Navy we wouldn’t have succeeded the long drawn war against terrorism because obviously it was via the sea that the LTTE smuggled arms shipments into the country”, he said.

“The Navy proved its mettle during the 30-year war on terrorism winning praise not only from our countrymen but also from the nations supporting us exercising the bravery with which the Sri Lanka Navy ventured to destroy terrorist craft thousands of miles away from our shores”, the Army Commander said.

“It is almost four years since we have concluded combat operations and the transformation that has taken place thereafter too has surprised many. We are now in the forefront of the nation’s development in addition to safeguarding our territorial integrity“, he said

“The Armed Forces have continued to engage in humanitarian as well as other civilian activities that have accelerated national development and improved the lives of our communities in various parts of our country specially in the North and East since the culmination of the humanitarian operation”, he said. Therefore, he said, the Sri Lanka Navy has become not only the first line of defence but also a key stakeholder in the nation building process.

“Again the rapidity with which we adopted to the emerging challenges and requirement is being praised by everybody. Therefore, the Sri Lankan defence forces proved beyond any doubt that our defence forces are among the best in the world in fulfilling national obligations”, he said.

At this ceremony 85 midshipmen; 37 from the 27th intake of the Kotalawala Defence University and 48 from the 51st Intake passed out.

This was the first time after assuming duties as the 20th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lt. General Daya Ratnayake participated at a formal Navy ceremony and took the salute after inspecting the Parade as the chief guest on the invitation of Navy Commander , Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage.

Navy Seva Vanitha Unit President, Ms. Srima Colombage, Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Rohan Amarasinghe, Commandant Naval and Maritime Academy Commodore Ruwan Perera, senior naval officers, senior officers of the Army, Air Force and Police in the area, parents and well-wishers were also present on the occasion.