Speaking at a Commissioning Parade held at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee the Prime Minister said the newly commissioned Navy officers would take pride in safeguarding the sovereignty and territorial integrity of country whilst upholding the customary traditions and norms of the Sri Lanka Navy.
Addressing the young naval officers, the Premier advised them to be leaders of exemplary character keeping the interests of the nation always ahead of them.
He said the Sri Lanka Navy has a role to play to keep the shipping lanes and transnational trade safe and protected and ensure the security in the Indian Ocean region.
The Prime Minister said the government will procure the necessary equipment, ships and aircraft to strengthen the Sri Lanka Navy to carry out its duties efficiently.
The Prime Minister extended his great debt of gratitude to the parents and loved ones of the commissioned officers for giving them the encouragement to serve the motherland.
Prime Minister Wickramasinghe participated as the chief guest in the Commissioning Parade held to pass out 44 Midshipmen of General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University (KDU) as Commissioned Naval Officers of the Sri Lanka Navy.
Minister of Law and Order and Southern Development Sagala Ratnayake, the State Minister of Defense Ruwan Wijewardene, the Governor of the Eastern Province, Austin Fernando, the Secretary to the Ministry of Defense Eng. Karunasena Hettiarachchi, and the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne also participated in the occasion.
