Commander of the Navy visits Northern Naval Command, several facilities declared open

Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne made a visit to the Northern Naval Command on 11^th March 2017. Upon his arrival, Vice Admiral Wijegunaratne was warmly received by the Commander Northern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva and was accompanied by several senior naval officers attached to the Naval Headquarters and Northern Naval Command. As part of the visit of the Commander of the Navy, several facilities in the Northern Naval Command, completed by the Sri Lanka Navy, were also declared open today.

Accordingly, the newly constructed Delft Jetty was first declared open by the Commander of the Navy. Jaffna District Secretary, Mr. N Vethanayahan and Secretary to the Governor of Northern Province, Mr. L Ilaangovan were also present on this occasion. The construction work of this jetty commenced on 04^th November 2016. In response to a request made by Hon. Governor of the Northern Province, the Navy had undertaken the total construction work providing man power and knowhow required for the project. The financial resource for the construction was provided by the Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs through the District Secretary, Jaffna. With the completion of this jetty, it will possess a depth of 06-08 feet where fishing trawlers, sea ambulance and other passenger transferring ferries can be secured alongside to this safely. As the first stage, it will complete a pier with a length of 101 feet and width of 31 feet.

In the same vein, Vice Admiral Wijegunaratne declared open the “Nallinakkapuram” purified water distribution project which supplies safe drinking water for the mega Keeramalai Housing Project in Nallinakkapuram. Fulfilling yet another aspiration of Hon. Governor of the Northern Province and Jaffna District Secretary, this project which included a giant water tank and dedicated RO plant was engineered and constructed by Sri Lanka Navy. As a result, the latest facility will provide fresh purified water for over fifty families in this village by means of the giant water tank with a capacity of 60,000 litres. The occasion was also attended by Jaffna District Secretary, Mr. N Vethanayahan, Secretary to the Governor of Northern Province, Mr. L Ilaangovan and Commander Security Force Jaffna, Major General Mahesh Senanayake

Meanwhile, the Commander of the Navy also took time off to visit the Naval Sewing Centre of SLNS Wasaba located in Delft. During this visit, he distributed the annual bonus among 38 seamstresses employed at the Sewing Centre. Sharing a light moment with them the Commander of the Navy praised their service rendered for the Navy.

As part of the series of events, the opening of pier constructed at the Naval Base, SLNS Kanchadewa was also presided over by the Commander of the Navy. The 140 feet long, 6½ feet wide and 10 feet high pier had been erected utilizing the Naval funds and making use of the expertise of Naval engineering technology.

The public expressed their gratitude to the Navy for making a valiant effort for the promotion of peace, harmony and reconciliation among communities.