Naval Deployment Vakarai and Naval Recruit Training Centre (NRTC) Sampoor located in the Eastern Naval Area were commissioned as SLNS Kashyapa and SLNS Vidura respectively by Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage on 15 th August 2013.
President of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Srima Colombage, Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Rohan Amarasinghe, senior naval officers attached to the NHQ and Eastern Naval Command and naval personnel of the Eastern Naval Command were also present on the occasion.
In keeping with traditional naval customs, Commander of the Navy handed over the Commissioning Warrants to the Commandant of SLNS Vidura, Commodore KG Paul and Commanding Officer of SLNS Kashyapa, Captain MFAK De Silva, who read out the Commissioning Warrants declaring the commissioning of the naval training centre and the naval base. The Commissioning Pennants were hoisted thereafter followed by the customary flag salutes.
The Sampoor Naval Recruit Training Centre was first established on 15th October 2007 with the aim of catering to the growing needs of training naval personnel enlisted in the Navy. With its commissioning, SLNS Vidura will be fully geared to impart “Quality Naval Training” to over 1,000 naval recruits at a time utilizing its improved infrastructure facilities and the well laid-out parade ground.
The Naval Deployment Vakarai was first established on 14th September 2010 to ensure the security of the area and to assist the civilians to engage in their livelihoods in safety. It was upgraded to a Regional Security Center in 2010 suited to its multi-faceted role. Naval Detachments Kadiraveli, Valachchenai, Kalkuda, Kaluwankerni, Dutchbar, Kotuwamadu, Batticaloa, Punachchimunei, Nadathurei and Kaludaweli function under its purview.
[mappress] Press Release, August 19, 2013; Image: Sri Lanka Navy