323 Recruits pass out through portals of SLNS Shiksha in Poonewa
A total of 323 recruits of the 265th intake of Regular and Volunteer Naval Forces passed out at the main parade ground of SLNS Shiksha in Poonewa on 10 October 2026, following the successful completion of their basic training.
The Passing Out Parade (POP) comprised 301 regular recruits and 22 volunteer recruits. Rear Admiral Buddhika Liyanagamage, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy and Commander Eastern Naval Area, graced the ceremony as the Chief Guest at the invitation of Captain Kelum Marambage, Commandant and Commanding Officer SLNS Shiksha.
The distinguished ceremony witnessed awards being presented by the Chief Guest to recruits who demonstrated exceptional performance during their training period.
Award winners;
Best Recruit - Recruit RS Giddawage
Recruit with Highest Aggregate in All Subjects - Recruit RPS Karunaratne
Best Sportsman - Recruit SGGK Wijerathna
Best Sportswoman - Woman Recruit KWAI Sandamali
Best Marksman - Recruit MBGCN Beddewelage
Best Division - 'Sayurala' Division
Addressing the gathering, Rear Admiral Liyanagamage commended the achievements of prospective sailors and highlighted the public trust placed in naval personnel. He emphasised that members of the Navy must uphold the institution's honour and act with discipline, legal compliance and responsibility. He further urged the new batch of recruits to continuously refine their technical skills in fields such as information technology, communication, surveillance, data analysis, artificial intelligence and modern maritime technologies to adapt to evolving operational demands.
Rear Admiral Liyanagamage also noted that naval personnel are expected to play a key role in safeguarding Sri Lanka's maritime domain, sovereignty and territorial integrity. Their duties will encompass countering illicit maritime activities, including drug smuggling, as well as executing search and rescue (SAR) operations, assisting seafaring communities, and delivering humanitarian assistance during natural disasters, he added further. Moreover, he underlined that women recruits hold equal professional opportunities and responsibilities within the service, encouraging them to perform their duties with confidence.
The Chief Guest also extended his gratitude to the parents of the recruits for encouraging their children to enlist, while acknowledging the efforts of the Commandant, instructors, and Directing Staff of SLNS Shiksha, alongside the Commander North Central Naval Area, for organizing the ceremony in the highest standards.
The first-ever parachute display at a night recruit POP was a highlight of the event, with Commander Tissa Kumara of the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) and Fleet Chief Petty Officer KCMK Geekiyanage taking part in the display. The event also featured a drill display by the intake 265, performances by the Navy Band and Cultural Troupe, and an Angampora martial arts demonstration, concluding with the traditional Sunset Ceremony.
Commander North Central Naval Area, Rear Admiral Indika De Silva, Director Naval Personnel Commodore Manoj Leelarathne, senior officers from the Navy Headquarters and North Central Naval Area, Training Commander SLNS Shiksha, Commander Kasun Nuwarapaksha, distinguished guests, sailors and families of the passed out recruits were present on this occasion.