Navy proudly takes part in 74th National Independence Day celebrations

The 74th National Independence Day ceremony of the motherland was held with pomp and pageantry at the iconic Independence Square, Colombo on the morning of 04th February 2022. The main ceremony went by the theme “An Affluent Tomorrow and Prosperous Motherland with Challenges Overcome” was held under the patronage of the President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa. Showcasing its prowess, Sri Lanka Navy added glamour to the elegant national spectacle filled with pride.

Today’s ceremony formally commenced with the unfurling of National Flag by His Excellency the President. Keeping with the customs and traditions associated with the hoisting of the National Flag, Navy’s Communication Branch made all ceremonial arrangements ready for the hoisting of the National Flag. In conjunction with the flag-hoisting, the National Anthem was sung to the music played by Sri Lanka Navy’s Oriental Orchestra.

After the address of His Excellency the President to the nation, the smart parade, which was featured by 61 naval officers and 1029 sailors in 08 divisions as well as Sri Lanka Navy’s Mechanized Column, commenced. Representing the Sri Lanka Navy, Commodore Damian Fernando was mounted on the pilot vehicle, leading the parade.

Filled with great pride in today’s parade the Naval Ensign was carried by Lieutenant Commander Harsha Weerakkodi along with officers carrying 06 President’s Colours conferred to the Navy, naval squadrons, commands and establishments as well as Command Flags, amidst rhythmic beating of drums by the Navy Band. The overall naval component was commanded by Commander Gayan Wickramasooriya.

Attired in their ceremonial dresses, squadrons and divisions representing all branches of the Sri Lanka Navy marched down the streets of Independence Square reflecting the pride of the Navy at the 74th Independence Day celebrations.

As the first naval squadron of the parade, the Naval Headquarters division commanded by Lieutenant Commander Tyron Fernando proceeded and it was followed by the Naval Fleet Command division led by Lieutenant Commander Sanoj Rodrigo.

Acclaimed as the teeth arm of Sri Lanka Navy - 04th Fast Attack Flotilla (FAF 4) division in the parade was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Chandana Kumara. Well-known for its ‘Hit Hard Hit First’ approach the 04th Fast Attack Flotilla has been once commanded by the incumbent Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne as its 17th Commanding Officer. Established in 1988, the FAF 4 has been bestowed President’s Colour for its pivotal role in terminating the suicide attack craft threat at sea once and for all.

The Special Boat Squadron, established in 1993 and lives by the motto of ‘Fortune Favours the Brave’ was represented today by the division commanded by Lieutenant Commander Anura Gunathilake.

Meanwhile, the Rapid Action Boat Squadron division commanded by Lieutenant Commander Duminda Dayananda joined the parade next. Established in 2007 the Rapid Action Boat Squadron operates in littoral waters remaining true to their motto ‘Victory beyond the Infinity’. Further, the Navy Marine division of today’s parade was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Lasith Chamara. Established in 2016, Navy Marines are known to be pros in amphibious operations, in conformity with the motto ‘Vigour, Valour, Victory’. Next in line in the colourful parade was the Navy Women’s division representing all branches, headed by Lieutenant Commander Theranga Kodisinghe.

Sri Lanka Coast Guard, commanded by Director General Coast Guard Rear Admiral Anura Ekanayake, next joined the Independence Day parade for the first time. Founded in 2010, Sri Lanka Coast Guard functions as a maritime law enforcement force in the maritime and fisheries sectors. The Sri Lanka Coast Guard was led by Lieutenant Commander Yohan Gunarathna.

Subsequent to the marching contingents, the extravagant military parade set the stage for Sri Lanka Navy’s Mechanized Column and other hardware which rolled down the boulevard of iconic Independence Square, commanded by Commander Ranga Chinthaka. The Mechanized Column consisted of main weaponries, indigenously made naval craft and equipment of special units of Sri Lanka Navy.

The event was also dignified by the presence of members of Maha Sangha and religious dignitaries of other faiths, Prime Minister, Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa, former President, Hon. Maithripala Sirisena, Minister of Irrigation and State Minister of National Security & Disaster Management and State Minister of Home Affairs, Hon. Chamal Rajapaksa, Ministers, Admiral of the Fleet, Wasantha Karannagoda, Governor of Western Province, Marshal of the Air Force, Roshan Goonetileke, Secretary of Defence, General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, General Shavendra Silva, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral, Nishantha Ulugetenne, President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Chandima Ulugetenne, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal, Sudarshana Pathirana, Inspector General of Police, Chandana Wickramarathna members of the diplomatic corps, government officials Chief of Staff of the Navy and senior military officers. The proceedings of the ceremony had been organized adhering to COVID-19 protocols to prevent possibilities of transmission of the pandemic.