Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne made a visit to the Northern Naval Command yesterday (11th March) and declared open several facilities in the Northern Naval Command, completed by the Sri Lanka Navy.
The Commander declared open the newly constructed Delft Jetty in the presence of Jaffna District Secretary, N Vethanayahan and Secretary to the Governor of Northern Province, L Ilaangovan. The construction work of this jetty commenced on 04th November 2016 according to a request made by the Governor of the Northern Province. The financial assistance for the construction was provided by the Ministry of Prison Reforms, Rehabilitation, Resettlement and Hindu Religious Affairs through the District Secretary, Jaffna. With the completion of this jetty, it will possess a depth of 06-08 feet where fishing trawlers, sea ambulance and other passenger transferring ferries can be secured alongside to this safely. As the first stage, it will complete a pier with a length of 101 feet and width of 31 feet.
Vice Admiral Wijegunaratne also declared open the “Nallinakkapuram” purified water distribution project which supplies safe drinking water for the mega Keeramalai Housing Project in Nallinakkapuram. This project includes a giant water tank and an RO plant. The latest facility will provide fresh purified water for over fifty families in this village by means of the giant water tank with a capacity of 60,000 liters.
Meanwhile, the Commander of the Navy also took time off to visit the Naval Sewing Centre of SLNS Wasaba located in Delft. During this visit, he distributed the annual bonus among 38 seamstresses employed at the Sewing Centre. Sharing a light moment with them the Commander of the Navy praised their service rendered for the Navy.
Besides, the newly established Naval Welfare Shop at SLNS Uththara in Kankesanthurai was also inaugurated under the auspices of Vice Admiral Wijegunaratne. The Naval Welfare Shops which are operated by the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit partnered with Naval Welfare Unit, are extremely beneficial to the Naval personnel to purchase electric equipment, mobile phones and computers under concessionary rates with easy payment plans, Navy media sources said.
As part of the series of events, the opening of pier constructed at the Naval Base, SLNS Kanchadewa was also presided over by the Commander of the Navy. The 140 feet long, 6½ feet wide and 10 feet high pier had been erected utilizing the Naval funds and making use of the expertise of Naval engineering technology.