Navy holds social programmes to show solidarity

In view of the assumption of duties by Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne as the new Commander of the Navy, a number of social programmes were held under his directive to show solidarity with all communities living in ethnic and religious harmony with the dawn of lasting peace to the island-nation.

Lunch was provided to the employees of the SLN-funded sewing centre at Delft, which was set up to provide permanent employment to Tamil youth in the island. The employees took the opportunity to express their gratefulness to the Navy by conveying their best wishes to the newly appointed Navy Commander, who has always been very much concerned about the development of the centre. In addition the students and the staff of the Delft Maha Vidyalaya were also served with refreshments. The Navy has a close relationship with this school, extending assistance to uplift its infrastructure and the educational levels of the students. It was a joyful occasion for the students to share their happiness with the Navy.

Meanwhile Muslim devotees, who were observing the holy month of Ramadan at the Nagadeepa Mosque, were served with iftar in the evening of 13th July 2015, enabling them to break their fast after sunset in keeping with Islamic rituals. Touched by the Navy’s generosity, they offered prayers wishing the newly appointed Commander of the Navy good health and strength to carry forward the good work for the benefit of all citizens in the country.

Hindu devotees, who were on their annual foot pilgrimage to Kataragama from Jaffna, Batticaloa, and Ampara, were also provided with 300 lunch packets at the Okanda Murugan Kovil and 450 lunch packets at the Kebiliththa Kovil. The treat was accepted by the devotees with great relish as they were on a long trek from far away places in the North as well as the East. They were generous in invoking blessings on the new Commander of the Navy and the naval personnel for providing them with all the assistance to make their annual pilgrimage a success.