Elaborating on the SLN's importance to the country, he stated Navy has three priorities for the present day: national security, eradication of drug menace and coastal protection. Commending the steps already taken, the President expressed his confidence that the navy will continue fulfilling those tasks with the fullest assistance extended by his government. President Maithripala Sirisena also revealed plans to create a mechanism to allow Navy retirees between the ages of 40 and 45 to enter the state service.Further, he paid tribute to the heroic naval personnel who made great sacrifices to defend the motherland and called upon all naval personnel to meet the future challenges with the same dedication and commitment, utilizing their expertise and skills.
The Secretary of Defence BMUD Basnayake was also in attendance on the occasion with the Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera, the Chief of Staff of the Navy Rear Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne, the Commander Eastern Naval Area Rear Admiral Neil Rosayro, Director Generals of the Navy, the Commandant NMA and the Heads of Departments of the Eastern Naval Command.
At the main parade ground of the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA), the President was accorded a Guard of Honour constituting hundred naval personnel parading the President’s Colours conferred on the Eastern Naval Area. Thereafter, he unveiled the plaque marking the completion of the first phase of the new building complex of the Naval and Maritime Academy. Proceeding to the Electrical School, the President declared open the newly constructed building that houses the well-equipped, spacious classrooms and the state-of-the art technological laboratories designed to provide quality training to naval personnel in electrical and electronic engineering.
During his first official visit to the SLN Eastern Naval Command, the President viewed a sail past from the Dockyard Signal Station (DSS). The sail past consisted of Sri Lanka Navy ships Sayura, Suranimala, Udara, Jagatha, Weeraya, Ranajaya, and Hansaya along with Fast Attack Craft, Inshore Patrol Craft and Arrow Boats attached to the Eastern Naval Command. On completion of the sail past, HE the President made an inspection visit to the DSS Operations Room where he was briefed on the Eastern Naval Command's operational functions. Thereafter, he proceeded to the Number 3 Slipway of the Naval Dockyard and inspected the maintenance of naval ships and craft by SLN shipwright personnel, utilizing local expertise and saving substantial amounts of foreign expenditure.
Much to the delight of the female Sea Cadets that were taking part in their annual assessment camp, the President met them at the NMA hockey ground where he expressed his admiration of their enthusiasm in extra-curricular activities and wished them success in their studies.
To mark his visit to the Sri Lanka Navy's largest naval base, the President planted a coconut sapling at the Navy House premises and placed his signature in the visitor's book.
