Secretary of Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa, accepting the invitation of the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, declared open the new North-Western Naval Command Headquarters in Mullikulum today, (02 Sep).

The strategic shifting of the North-western Naval Headquarters from Puttalam to Mullikulum enables the Navy to safeguard the waters and land under its purview more effectively by conducting prompt and sustainable Naval operations at sea, lagoons and on land in accordance with national policies, Naval sources said.

The North-western Naval Area spreads from Udappuwa to Arippu and consists of SLNS TTHERAPUTTA in Silawathura, SLNS BARANA in Mullikulum, SLNS VIJAYA in Kalpitiya and SLNS THMBAPANNI in Puttalam. Rear Admiral Ruwan Dias functions as the Commander North-western Naval Area, Naval sources added.

The key role of the new Command Headquarters in the North-West is to exercise of Naval command and control over the area from Udappuwa to Arippu, while assisting to maintain the law and order in the area.

Other functions of the new Command headquarters are to denial of the use of sea and land routes by unauthorized people in its general area, control of coast line and fishery protection, marshalling of fishing activities. Mine clearance in newly-liberated areas to expedite the government's resettlement programmes also id identified a key aspect. Further, prevention of illicit immigration, smuggling, drug trafficking, poaching, deforestation and sand mining enables local authorities to act effectively. Securing the road net work from Eluwankulama to Arippu, Kondachchikuda to Mahavilachchiya, and Silawatura to Araviaru, facilitate displaced civilians to resettle in liberated areas and providing support to Government agencies for reconciliation and rehabilitation projects, sources further added.

Religious dignitaries, Tri-forces commanders, Principal Staff Officers of the Navy also participated in the occasion.

Posted on Friday, September 03, 2010 @ 14:12:43 JST by admin