Navy Commander embarks on observation visit to Southern Naval Command

As part of a two-day command observation visit, the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Damian Fernando arrived in the Southern Naval Command today, 19 October 2026, reviewing its operational, administrative, development and welfare activities.

The Navy Commander was received by the Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral HNS Perera, upon his arrival. The Navy Chief subsequently visited naval establishments and detachments across the Command, accompanied by senior officers, including Director General Training Rear Admiral Rohan Joseph, Director General Civil Engineering Rear Admiral Ravi Gunasinghe, Director General Budget and Finance Rear Admiral Anuruddha Karunathilake and Director General Operations Rear Admiral Chaminda Karunasena.

During the visit, Vice Admiral Fernando inspected the agricultural project at the Kirindi Oya Naval Detachment, operating under SLNS Kavantissa, as well as the ‘Sith Saviya’ Extended Treatment Center and the Naval Holiday Bungalow. Upon inspection of these facilities, he gave instructions aimed at improving the productivity and welfare services offered by these facilities. At the Amaduwa Naval Sub Unit, the Navy Commander reviewed surveillance operations at its radar station and inaugurated a newly installed solar power system. During his observation tour of the Malima Diving Centre in Kirinda, the Navy Commander directed that the Centre's programmes be reorganized with a fresh approach to boost tourist attraction and promote diving tourism in the region. At SLNS Kavantissa in Hambantota, he reviewed progress on another solar power installation and inspected a Vehicle Ramp Facility over there. He also visited the Maritime Rescue Coordination Sub-Centre to assess its operations and provide guidance on improving its operations.

The Navy Commander subsequently visited SLNS Ruhuna in Tangalle, where he reviewed operational, administrative, welfare and development activities. He looked into the welfare facilities provided for naval personnel by the Naval Holiday Bungalow and the Seva Vanitha Welfare Outlet, as well as naval operations in the vicinity of Tangalle Fisheries Harbour. He also assessed repair and development work being carried out at Tangalle Prison with technical and skilled manpower support from the Sri Lanka Navy.

Meanwhile, the Navy Commander’s visit to SLNS Dakshina featured observation of the Onboard Security Teams (OBST) Armoury facility in Pettigala Watta, where weapons belonging to foreign private maritime security companies are kept for OBST operations on merchant vessels. There, the Commander of the Navy issued directives on ways to further enhance these operations.

Heads of Departments, Commanding Officers, senior and junior officers of the Southern Naval Command were also present on these occasions.