Seva Vanitha New Year Fair and Western Naval Command New Year Festival successfully held in Welisara

The Sinhala and Hindu New Year Fair 2023, organized by the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit (NSVU), and Western Naval Command New Year Festival were successfully held at the Welisara Naval Complex on 10th April 2023. At the invitation of the President of NSVU Mrs Mala Lamahewa, the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera declared open the New Year Fair.

Upon his arrival at the Welisara Naval Complex, the Commander of the Navy formally declared open the New Year Fair by lighting the traditional oil lamp. Moments later, the Commander of the Navy, the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit along with senior naval officers visited each and every stall and shared a moment with their owners.

Thereupon, the New Year Festival of the Western Naval Command was inaugurated under the patronage of the Commander of the Navy and the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit. The Chief of Staff of the Navy Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne and Commander Western Naval Area Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva were also present on this occasion.

The event was aimed at providing a convenient and affordable way for naval personnel, their families and naval civil staff employees to prepare for the upcoming New Year and purchase festive essentials at a reasonable price.

Meanwhile, the New Year Festival also featured a wide range of fun-filled activities and time-honoured traditional events. The marathon event (men’s) of the New Year Festival was won by Leading Physical Training Instructor KRA Thilakarathna and the women’s marathon was won by Woman Ordinary Seaman WALTR Weliwita. In cycling, the men’s event was won by Petty Officer SBRN Hemakeerthi and the women’s event was won by Woman Able Physical Training Instructor GDD Sakunthala. Meanwhile, Writer WR Kavinda was adjudged the Aurudu Kumara of the Western Naval Command and Woman Able Seaman PDT Prabodhini was selected as the Aurudu Kumariya. The winners of respective events received their prizes, during the evening musical show presided by the Commander of the Navy and the President of NSVU.

Director Generals, flag-ranking officers, officers from the Navy Headquarters and Western Naval Command, executive and committee members of NSVU, lady officers, sailors and civil staff employees were also present at these events.