High Commission of Sri Lanka in India

Sri Lanka Navy marked the 60th anniversary of its inception on 09th December 2010. It was in 09th December 1950, that the legislative enactment of the Navy, known as the ‘Navy Act’ was passed in the Parliament that eventually led to mark 09th December as the Navy Day. This year Golden Jubilee celebration takes high precedence with Navy Day being celebrated in company of friendly foreign navies.

To mark the occasion, the Naval Headquarters made an elaborative arrangement that includes a President’s Fleet Review with the participation of warships of Bangladesh, China, Iran, India, Pakistan, Russia, Thailand & Sri Lanka. The celebrations attended by representatives of 21 countries that include six Chiefs of Navies.

Admiral Nirmal Verma, Chief of the Indian Naval Staff reached Colombo in the evening of 08th Dec 2010 to attend the ceremonies on the invitation of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe. This is yet another milestone of Indo-Sri Lanka Naval relations where two navies close cooperation is fostering on the mutual understanding, interests and respect. Indian Naval ship Mysore and tall ship Tharangani participated in the celebrations in Colombo alongside their regional counterparts. During the celebrations, Chief of Indian Naval Staff called on the Secretary Defence, Mr Gotabaya Rajapaksa in company of the Sri Lankan Naval Chief & the Indian High Commissioner in Colombo.

The Indian Naval Chief’, Admiral Nirmal Verma’s participation at the ceremonies fulfilled the gracious presence of Chiefs of all three regional navies; Bangladesh, India, & Pakistan.  Further, during the celebrations participating naval chiefs attended several programmes that include an international symposium on Sustainable Support for Security and Safety at Sea (S5) in Colombo and Chief’s Conclave in Trincomalee. The Foreign Minister of Sri Lanka Prof. GL Peiris inaugurated the symposium and the Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe headed the Chief’s conclave in Trincomalee.