Five hundred and twenty-three (523) Navy recruits pass out in Boossa

In a vibrant ceremony, a total of five hundred and twenty-three (523) recruits from the 252nd intake of the Sri Lanka Navy's Regular and Volunteer Forces passed out at the main parade ground of SLNS Nipuna, Boossa on 20th October 2023. Among these recruits, 423 belonged to the Regular Force, while the remaining 100 were from the Volunteer Force.

The ceremony was graced by the Commandant Naval Infantry, Rear Admiral Jalaj Ponnamperuma as the Chief Guest, at the invitation of the Commandant and Commanding Officer of SLNS Nipuna, Captain Chaminda Gunarathna. The recruits who demonstrated exceptional performance during their basic training were acknowledged for their outstanding achievements through awards presented by the Chief Guest.

Accordingly, Woman Recruit WMUS Wijekoon won the award for the Best Recruit of the 252nd intake and Woman Recruit RACH Rathnayake won the award for the Highest Aggregate in All Subjects. Meanwhile, Recruit BMT Didulanga won the award for the Best Marksman. The awards for the Best Sportsman were won by Women Recruit SAIM Samaraweera and Recruit MMMJ Sanjeewa. The ‘Walagamba’ Division was selected as the Best Division of the 252nd intake.

The Passing out Parade featured a Ceremonial Guard made up of women sailors. This was also the first time, not only in the history of the Sri Lanka Navy but also the tri-service, that the Ceremonial Guard of a Passing out Parade consisted of female representation.

In his address to the recruits, Rear Admiral Jalaj Ponnamperuma congratulated the recruits on their successful completion of training. Further, he emphasized the importance of embodying the qualities of a proficient and disciplined sailor in order to effectively serve in a technologically advanced Navy. This dedication is crucial in safeguarding the motherland and ensuring that the hard-won freedom is passed down to future generations, he added.

Rear Admiral Jalaj Ponnamperuma also emphasized the Navy's crucial role in safeguarding the extensive maritime territory under its jurisdiction and stressed the importance of protecting both maritime and fishing communities in distress within Sri Lanka's Search and Rescue Region. He emphasized that newly passed out sailors ought to employ the discipline instilled during their training and wholeheartedly dedicate themselves to upholding the Navy's responsibilities in the years ahead.

Finally, he also took the opportunity to express his gratitude to the parents of the newly passed out recruits, for giving their consent for their children to join the Navy.

Newly passed out recruits added to the splendour of the dignified ceremony through their drill display, while the Navy Band and Cultural Troupe provided dazzling performances, making the event even more appealing.

Members of Venerable Maha Sangha, Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, Deputy Area Commander, Commodore Jayantha Bandara, senior officers from the Navy Headquarters and Southern Naval Command, officers and sailors of SLNS Nipuna as well as parents of newly passed out naval personnel were present on this occasion.