30 young officers complete Sub Lieutenant Technical Course
 

The certificate awarding ceremony of 19th Sub Lieutenant Technical (Executive) Course, conducted by the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee, was held at the Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda Auditorium on 15th September 2017. Commodore Kassapa Paul, the Commandant Naval and Maritime Academy, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

Marking the successful culmination of 19th Sub Lieutenant Technical (Executive) Course, 30 student officers received certificates in recognition of their excellent academic performances. Sub Lieutenant DR Tharaka was adjudged the Most Inspiring Officer while Acting Lieutenant HPDSH Pathirana secured the First in the Order of Merit by obtaining an average of 73.25 percent for overall performance.

Sub Lieutenant Technical Course is the first professional course that any young naval officer undergoes after his commissioning. During the period of 57 week training, the student officers were given more theoretical and practical knowledge on Navigation, Gunnery, Anti-Submarine Warfare, Communication and Supply and Secretariat. Consequently, this knowledge would be extremely vital to perform their duties well, in their future assignments at sea and ashore. Most of the training was done by the staff of the Academy while some modules were covered by the guest lecturers. Further, these student officers were attached to outside institutes to follow training on Diving, Explosive Ordnance and Disposal (EOD) and Meteorology modules.

Addressing the gathering, while congratulating the officers who successfully completed the course, the Commandant highlighted the importance of training for job performance and holding responsibilities as leaders of the future Navy. Further, he stressed the value of training to avoid mistakes that would result undesirable outcomes at sea, in future appointments. In addition, the Commandant reminded the young officers about great naval traditions and three pillars on which these traditions are rested on; discipline, integrity and honour.

The Deputy Training Captain, Captain Chandima Silva, Officer Training Officer, Commander Dinesh Bandara and a host of naval officers from the Naval and Maritime Academy were also present on the occasion.