SLNS Vijayaba of the Eastern Naval Command celebrated its 15th anniversary on 01st June 2012 on a grand scale. A series of events were conducted from 23rd May to 01st June as part of the celebrations. They included the Commanding Officer’s Division, Barakana (traditional meal enjoyed by all naval personnel) and a colourful musical show.
Base personnel also participated in a number of community welfare activities to coincide with the event. They cleaned the Nilaweli Base Hospital on 23rd and conducted a medical clinic with the assistance of the naval doctors and medical specialists on the following day to treat children and adults in the area. Packs of nutritional supplements “Three Posa” were also distributed among the civilians at the clinic. An alms givings was also held on 30th to invoke merit on the naval war heroes.
Located overlooking the scenic Nilaweli seas and Pigon Island, SLNS Vijayaba plays a vital role in protecting the Eastern coast. It provides in depth defence to the Trincomalee Habour and assits in curbing illegal fishing activities in the area. The base was established on 01st June 1997 and commissioned on 15th October 1997. It contributes to the conservation of beaches and marine resources and provides protection to the ‘Pigon Island’, which has been declared as a Marine Sanctuary by the Department of Wild Life Conservation.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, June 6, 2012; Image: Sri Lanka Navy