Sri Lanka Navy conducts a New Year festival at SLNS Gemunu in Welisara
 

The New Year festival organized by the Sri Lanka Navy in view of the forthcoming Sinhala and Tamil New Year, in which the President of the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Ministry of Defence, Mrs. B. M. Basnayake was the Chief Guest, was held at SLNS Gemunu in Welisara on 10th April 2015. The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera; Mrs. Shalika Perera, Rear Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne (the Chief of Staff of the Navy), Rear Admiral Dayananda Nanayakkara (the Commander Western Naval Area) and senior officers of the Navy were also present at the event attended by a large number of naval personnel, their family members and friends.

The colorful festival consisted of not only the traditional happenings associated with the New Year, but also the games and fun-filled activities unique to the New Year season. The organizers had made special efforts to highlight the cultural significance of the national celebration, which is eagerly awaited by both young and old, in the month of April each year. Accordingly, the customs unique to the occasion had taken the centre stage, giving the participants a very good experience of the cultural practices handed down from generation to generation to preserve the Sri Lanka's rich heritage.

Since the New Year trade-fair conducted by the Seva Vanitha Unit of the Sri Lanka Navy also took place adjacent to the festival venue, the participants had the opportunity of purchasing a wide range of consumer goods at considerably reduced prices.

The winners of the games received fabulous prizes in appreciation of the contribution made to the happy occasion from the Chief Guest, the Commander of the Navy, and the senior naval officers that were present on the accession.