Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, accompanied by the President of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mala Lamahewa, participated in the Joint Christian Commemoration and Thanksgiving Service held at All Saints’ Church, Borella, on November 21.
Organised by the Navy Christian Council, this event was part of a series of diverse spiritual gatherings aiming to seek blessings for the upcoming 73rd Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy, scheduled for December 09.. The Christian Commemoration and Thanksgiving Service were led by Rt. Rev. Dr. Raymond Wickramasinghe, Bishop of the Diocese of Galle, along with a group of clergy.
During the ceremony, Christian religious customs were observed in blessing the Naval Ensign and Command Flags. Honours were paid to fallen naval war veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country. Additionally, prayers were offered for both serving and retired naval personnel, disabled members, and their families.
The event saw the presence of former Commanders of the Navy, such as Admiral Basil Goonesekara (Retd.), retired senior officers, Chief of Staff of the Navy Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne, President of the Navy Christian Council and Director General Personnel Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, Director Generals of the Navy, Commander Western Naval Area and Commandant Volunteer Naval Force Rear Admiral Saman Perera, Area Commanders, Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard, executive committee members of NSVU, Vice President of the Navy Christian Council Commodore Prashantha Anthony, Navy Christian Council officers, as well as a contingent of officers and sailors from the Navy Headquarters and Western Naval Command.