Navy Seva Vanitha Unit celebrates International Women's Day

On the sidelines of International Women's Day (08th March), Navy Seva Vanitha Unit (NSVU) organized a celebratory event to mark this special day on high note. The event which was held under the auspices of the Chairperson of Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Chithrani Gunaratne at the Admiral Somathilaka Dissanayake Auditorium on 08th March 2021 was dignified by the presence of NSVU President, Mrs. Chandima Ulugetenne and Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne.

Befitting to the theme of this year's International Women's Day 'Choose to Challenge' the NSVU Women's Day programme aimed to recognize women who are quietly but with immense love, strength, courage, and sacrifice playing different roles as housewives, mothers, wives and daughters. Through the programme, it was also expected to promote the welfare of serving military women in the Navy as well as courageous womenfolk behind every serviceman, being a great pillar of strength to perform their bounden duty.

Going by a notion of the NSVU President, Navy Seva Vanitha Unit compiled ‘Sinduliya’ magazine which was chief-edited by Prof. Praneeth Abyesundara, Department of Anthropology, University of Sri Jayewardenepura. The magazine covering a wide range of fields with articles, creations, discussions and scholarly ideas by a cross section of professionals was also ceremonially launched during this event. Meanwhile, the NSVU President presented copies of the magazine to the Chairperson of Defence Ministry's Seva Vanitha Unit and Commander of the Navy on this occasion.

The NSVU International Women's Day event also featured a session with Ms. Ama Dissanayake a renowned trainer & lecturer in positive thinking and stress management, a culinary workshop hosted by veteran chef, Deshabandu T. Pabilis Silva, a beauty culture programme conducted by well-known beautician Mrs. Suneetha Kotelawala and a sewing programme held by presidential award winning craftswoman Ms. GW Swarna Jayanthi for the benefit of women.

The event was held adhering to health and safety protocols and it was attended by NSVU Vice President, Mrs. Kumari Weerasinghe, senior NSVU members, Chief of Staff of the Navy, Rear Admiral Sumith Weerasinghe, Deputy Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Ruwan Perera, Commander Western Naval Area, Rear Admiral Meril Sudarshana, Director General Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Rear Admiral SVJN Samarasinghe, Director General Personnel, Rear Admiral Upul De Silva, Commandant Volunteer Naval Force, Rear Admiral Sanath Uthpala, Director General Training, Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularathna, Director General Administration, Rear Admiral Prasanna Hewage, Director General Operations, Rear Admiral Prasanna Mahawithana, Director General Services, Rear Admiral Senaka Senavirathna and a group of officers and sailors.