Navy Commander Vice Admiral Damian Fernando inspected the Southern Naval Command on October 19, reviewing its operational, administrative, development and welfare activities. During the visit, he provided guidance to officers and sailors on the Navy’s role in safeguarding national security and contributing to national development.
At the beginning of the inspection tour, the Navy Commander visited the agricultural project established at the Kirindi Oya Naval Detachment under Sri Lanka Navy Ship Kavantissa, the “Sith Saviya” rehabilitation centre and the Naval Holiday Home. He provided instructions to improve the efficiency of administrative and welfare activities carried out at these facilities.
He also inspected the surveillance operations of the radar station at the Amaduwa Naval Sub-Detachment and officially opened a newly installed solar power system at the facility.
During the visit, the Navy Commander inspected the Kirinda Malima Diving Centre and instructed officials to reorganise its programmes to attract more visitors and promote diving tourism in the area.
In Hambantota, he reviewed the progress of the solar power system being installed at Sri Lanka Navy Ship Kavantissa and the vehicle launching and recovery facility. He subsequently inspected the operations of the Maritime Search and Rescue Sub-Coordination Centre and provided guidance to enhance its operational efficiency.
The Navy Commander also visited Sri Lanka Navy Ship Ruhuna in Tangalle, where he inspected operational, administrative, welfare and development activities. He reviewed the welfare facilities provided to naval personnel through the Naval Holiday Home and the Seva Vanitha shopping complex, as well as naval operations conducted in the vicinity of the Tangalle Fisheries Harbour.
In addition, he inspected renovation and development work being carried out at Tangalle Prison with the technical and skilled support of the Sri Lanka Navy.
The inspection tour also included the armoury complex at Pettigalawatta, Galle, where weapons and equipment belonging to foreign private maritime security companies are stored to facilitate Onboard Security Team (OBST) operations for merchant vessels under Sri Lanka Navy Ship Dakshina.
Heads of departments, commanding officers and other officers of the Southern Naval Command participated in the inspection tour.
