Joint Christian Commemoration & Thanksgiving Service held to commemorate the 74th Anniversary of Sri Lanka Navy

The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera along with the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Mala Lamahewa attended the Joint Christian Commemoration & Thanksgiving Service at St. Lucia's Cathedral, Kotahena on 29th November 2024. The event was held to invoke blessings on the 74th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy, celebrated on 09th December.

Sri Lanka Navy Christian Council founded in 1991 has conducted the Joint Commemoration and Thanksgiving Service for 33 consecutive years in keeping with the highest naval customs and traditions. His Lordship Rt. Rev Dr. Lionel Emmanuel Fernando conducted this solemn joint Christian service along with the gracious presence and prayers of religious dignitaries from the Roman Catholic Church, Church of Ceylon and representatives of Methodist and Baptist Churches.

“May the peace and strength of our Lord be with you, who are the guardians of the seas” were the blessings of the Chief Celebrant, His Lordship Rt. Rev Dr. Lionel Emmanuel Fernando who praised and thanked the Lord for all the achievements that the Sri Lanka Navy made in the past years. The service remembered those who paid the supreme sacrifice in achieving peace to our Motherland. It also remembered all those who served with us and departed due to various causes, all our naval brothers and sisters serving and retired who are sick and disabled to ask the Lord to give them strength and courage to carry their crosses through life and pray for their speedy recovery. During the ceremony special blessings were evoked on Naval Ensign, Naval Command Flags, Naval Fleet and Service men of all nations.

Former Commanders of the Navy, retired senior officers, Chief of Staff of the Navy Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, President Navy Christian Council & Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, Area Commanders, Vice Presidents of Navy Christian Council; Director General Electrical and Electronic engineering, Rear Admiral Prashanth Anthony and Director General Personnel, Rear Admiral Ravindra Tissera, Director Generals of the Navy, executive committee members of NSVU, officers and sailors of Sri Lanka Navy Christian Council, and a group of officers and sailors attached to the Navy Headquarters and Western Naval Command were present on this occasion.