State Minister of Defence visits SLN Dockyard
 

The State Minister of Defence Hon. Ruwan Wijewardene visited the Sri Lanka Navy Dockyard in Trincomalee on 08^th February 2015. He was awarded a Guard of Honour on arrival and warmly received by the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera and the Commander Eastern Naval Area Rear Admiral Rohana Perera. Thereafter, he proceeded to the Navy House where he was introduced to the Heads of Department of the Eastern Naval Command. To mark the first official visit to the Navy's largest base after assumption of his ministerial office, the State Minister planted a mango sapling in its premises.

The State Minister of Defence also boarded SLNS Sagara, which was berthed at her homeport for the ministerial visit. He spoke with the ship's complement manning the Vikram Class Offshore Patrol Vessel, which is tasked with surveillance and patrolling Sri Lankan waters to provide protection to the island-nation. He also made a harbour inspection onboard the Admiral Barge designed and manufactured by the Navy for VVIP transportation.

The State Minister of Defence also took time to inspect the ENA's Communication Network Centre, the Dockyard Signal Station (DSS), which liaises with the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) as the regional contact point in the East.

Among the high officials who accompanied the State Minister of Defence to SLN Dockyard were the Chief of Defence Staff General Jagath Jayasuriya, the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake and the Commander of the Air Force Air Marshal Kolitha Gunathileke.

Commencing his eastern visit, the State Minister of Defence first arrived at the SLAF airport in Chinabay, where he was received by the Commander Security Forces - East Major General Lal Perera. The Minister was also accorded a Guard of Honour at the Army's 22 Division Headquarters.