13th July 2020 23:40:35 Hours
Ministry of Defence (MOD) on Monday (13) during a brief felicitation ceremony, headed by Defence Secretary Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne bade farewell to the retiring Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Piyal de Silva, 23rd Commander of the Navy and Chairperson of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs Arundathi Jayaneththi. A representative gathering of security top brass, including Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army, Commander of the Air Force, Additional Secretaries, acting Inspector General of Police, Director General Civil Security Department, Senior Tri Service Officers, together with Chairperson of the MOD Seva Vanitha Unit, Chairperson, Army Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs Sujeewa Nelson, Chairpersons of Air Force and Police Seva Vanitha Units and a few invitees were present at the occasion.
Commending Vice Admiral De Silva’s contribution to the SLN by initiating the action plan to deploy capital ships far away from the shores to monitor illegal activities at sea stands, Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne said SLN, which apprehended huge quantities of smuggled drugs and narcotics at sea by applying productive strategies, would have been a dream without the guidance of Vice Admiral De Silva. Delivering the farewell address at the felicitation ceremony held for the outgoing SLN Commander Vice Admiral De Silva at the Defence Ministry today (July 13), the Defence Secretary said he was a role model as the SLN Commander, who had been able to sail the Navy towards the right direction during a very crucial period.
Major General Gunaratne said bidding farewell to those leaving the organisation was a long practised custom historically followed by the military and the Ministry had commenced the same practice from today with bidding farewell to the great naval officer Vice Admiral De Silva, who had contributed an exemplary service to the nation for over 36-years in different capacities in the SLN.
Vice Admiral De Silva was appointed as the Navy Commander on January 1, 2019. Vice Admiral De Silva while expressing his gratitude to the Defence Secretary, senior defence officials and all others gathered at the event said that the leadership provided from the top administration was a key in delivering results during his tenure as the Navy Commander.
Marking the occasion, a memento was presented to the outgoing Navy Chief by Defence Secretary Maj. Gen Gunaratne while a special memento was also presented to the Chairperson of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit Mrs Arundathi Jayaneththi by the MOD Seva Vanitha Unit Chairperson Mrs Chitrani Gunaratne. Additional Secretary (Defence) P.B.S.C Nonis delivered the welcome speech. (Source: courtesy MOD) best Running shoes brand | Nike React Element 87
