The Insignia Awarding Ceremony of 11th Rapid Response Rescue and Relief Squadron (4RS) Course

The insignia awarding ceremony of the 11^th Rapid Response Rescue and Relief Squadron (4RS) course was held at the Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) Headquarters at Gangewadiya on 28^th July 2014. Commander North Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Director Maritime Special Forces, Commodore Merril Wickramasinghe, Deputy Area Commander of the North Western Naval Area, Commodore Ananda Guruge, Heads of Department, Commanding Officers and senior government officers in the area were also present on the occasion.

Three officers and thirty-one sailors were awarded with the 4RS insignias after successfully completing the course. It was the 2^nd 4RS course undertaken by the RABS training team and conducted at the newly-established RABS Headquarters at Gangewadiya. The trainees were provided with an opportunity to learn advanced lifesaving techniques and the use of state-of-the-art equipment. Special lectures were conducted by the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF), Life Saving Association of Sri Lanka (LSASL), Sri Lanka Police, International Committee of the Red Cross Sri Lanka (ICRC), National Aquatic Resources Research & Development Agency (NARA) and Disaster Management Centre (DMC) to enhance the knowledge of the trainees in key subject areas.

The Chief Guest in his address emphasized the magnitude of the responsibility one has to shoulder as a life saver and the importance of the role 4RS has to play in the post-war scenario, especially during natural calamities, particularly in flood situations. He extended warm wishes to all the newly-passed out 4 RS personnel and wished them success in their every endeavor.