Twenty – one (21) SBS personnel receive insignia after successful completion of training

The Special Boat Squadron (SBS) held an insignia awarding and passing out ceremony today (27th March 2024) to mark the termination of SBS training which was successfully completed by 21 sailors. At the invitation of the Commanding Officer SBS, Captain Dharmasiri Herath, the Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Suresh De Silva, graced the event which was held in a dignified sequence at the SBS Headquarters in the Naval Dockyard, Trincomalee.

A group of young blood who voluntarily joined the 31st intake for the grueling SBS training, successfully completed their course and earned the rare privilege of wearing the SBS insignia. The Commander Eastern Naval Area pinned prestigious SBS insignia on those who successfully completed course and presented awards to those who were outstanding during their training.

Accordingly, Ordinary Seaman BMNM Basnayake won the Commander SNK Silva Memorial Trophy awarded for the member who accumulated the Highest Aggregate in Overall Subjects. Ordinary Seaman WGS Wimalarathna won the Commander CD Martenstyn Memorial Trophy awarded for the Best Marksman. Meanwhile, Ordinary Seaman SNSBKS Semasinghe won the Lieutenant Commander SK Dalugama Memorial Trophy awarded for the SBS Member who possessed the Highest Physical Endurance. The Chief Petty Officer KG Shantha Memorial Trophy awarded for the Best Sportsman was won by Ordinary Seaman AHMS Sandakelum. The Lieutenant Commander TD Palihena Memorial Trophy awarded for the Best Swimmer was presented to Ordinary Seaman SNSBKS Semasinghe and Ordinary Seaman BMNM Basnayake won the SBS Dagger awarded for the Most Excellent SBS Member.

The distinguished invitees also witnessed live action of SBS personnel’s combat skills and special events. The demonstration was conducted at the SBS Headquarters premises and Nicholson Cove Sea area. The exercise was also augmented by a Bell 212 Helicopter of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Addressing the SBS personnel who successfully completed their training, the Commander Eastern Naval Area congratulated them on their achievement. He also expressed his gratitude to the beloved parents of the new batch of SBS personnel for giving their consent for their children to pursue a noble cause.

Adding further, he said that the Navy Special Boat Squadron was established in 1993 with the objective of creating a special combat unit capable of fighting in brown waters and coastal shallows, to suppress terrorist activities in the lagoons and associated land in the North. In addition, he heaped praise on the previous Commanding Officers, officers and sailors who served in the elite unit of the Navy, mentioning that their contribution was a decisive factor for the development of the Special Boat Squadron.

He also stressed that new members joining SBS must prioritize discipline and resilience, while also enhancing the high level of professional skills unique to the Special Boat Squadron. Moreover, the Commander Eastern Naval Area said that the Navy expects commitment of naval personnel to fulfill its assigned tasks, aiming to secure the ocean region and foster stability within it.

Flag Officer Commanding Naval Fleet, Rear Admiral Chandima Silva, senior officers from the Navy Headquarters and Eastern Naval Command, distinguished invitees and parents of insignia recipients were also present on this occasion.