 
They ruled our seas protecting our country against the most ruthless
terrorists. Their mission was to conduct prompt and sustainable combat
operations at sea. The Sri Lanka Navy, facing the toughest and most
challenging role, was able to halt the mass scale supply of weapons and
ammunition to terrorists via sea.
The Sri Lanka Navy, under the Command of Navy Commander Admiral
Wasantha Karannagoda, took the responsibility of cutting off the
pipelines that equipped the LTTE with illegal weapons.
Hence in 2006, Navy increased their surveillance in our territorial
waters. The Navy successfully faced 21 LTTE attacks during 2006 alone,
causing heavy damage to the enemy. In 2007, the Navy destroyed seven
ships - floating warehouses - which carried huge amounts of arms and
ammunition to the LTTE.
The Navy wisely made alterations to strategies as well as equipment
to successfully meet the threat of the LTTE from the sea.
Thus the concept of small boats came into action. The LTTE sea
attacks were from small boats which were more swift and deadly. The Navy
had to find their own solution. With a dedicated and determined
engineering team the small boat concept became very successful.
 The new craft have been a tremendous success in sea battles as a
result of high speed which enabled faster pursuits. Their compactness
facilitated greater manoeuvrability and the use of modern weaponry
enhanced the destructive firepower.
With its Special Boat Squadron, Rapid Action Boat Squadron, Inshore
Patrol Craft, Dvora Squadron and Surveillance ships the Navy became a
tremendous success.
The elite forces of Sri Lanka Navy, Special Boat Squadron and the
Rapid Action Boat Squadron, armed with small attack craft with its
modern weaponry fitted on board were fully engaged in safeguarding the
territorial waters from enemy attacks.
At a time when the entire land route to the Northern peninsula was
blocked by the terrorists the Sri Lanka Navy took the responsibility of
transporting Army personnel on duty in the Jaffna peninsula. In addition
they took the massive responsibility of safeguarding all the cargo ships
that carried goods to the North.
During the last stages of the war against terrorism, the Navy greatly
assisted in caring for the sick and injured people who were brought to
the cleared areas in the ‘Green Ocean’ vessel. Brave officers and
sailors have made a grand contribution to protect the sovereignty and
territorial integrity of Sri Lanka. The outer view does not demonstrate
the unseen strength and commitment of the officers and sailors of our
proud Naval Force.
DY
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