Three years later, CNVF was absorbed into the Royal Navy (RN) as the Ceylon Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve (CRNVR) and continued to be under RN till March 1946. The first Commanding Officer of the CRVNR was Captain W.G.Beauchamp, VRD, CBE. After the war he was succeeded by Cdr. G.R.M De Mel as the Commanding Officer CRVNR with 9 Officers and 91 Sailors making up the force.
With the dawn of a new era, after laps of just over two years after the independence on 9th December 1950, the Navy Act, chapter 358 of the legislative enactments of Ceylon was passed writing a new chapter in the history of Ceylon. The then Naval Advisor to the Government, Capt WE Banks, CBE, DFC was appointed to act as the Commanding Officer of the Royal Ceylon Navy. The Navy grew in size gradually and by 1957- 58 the complement was read as 136 Officers and 1650 sailors.
"When a crisis confronts the nation, the first question often asked by policymakers is: 'What naval forces are available and how fast can they be on station?' “-- Admiral C.A.H. Trost, USN Chief of Naval Operations Proceedings, May 1990
In 1972 with Ceylon becoming the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, the Royal Ceylon Navy became the Sri Lanka Navy. Ever since its inception until 1980 apart from assisting the Military and Civil Powers during the 1971 insurrection, the Navy’s Role had been basically ceremonial. But with the outbreak of separatist terrorism in the county the Navy had to adopt a fast but effective transition from a ceremonial Navy to fully trained and highly motivated fighting Navy which could take on enemy at anywhere on the sea at any time in whatever the magnitude.
The brave sailors of mother Lanka fought hard relentlessly to decimate the LTTE’s military infrastructure, severe communication and supply lines, smash weapon arsenals, and destroy morale of the enemy. Today, with the years of experience in the harsh operating environments of the battle against one of the most ferocious terrorist organizations in the world, Sri Lankan Naval forces are ready to respond to any kind of international and regional crises but will focus largely to protect Sri Lankan interests and citizens. Sri Lanka Navy after defeating the LTTE’s sea activities at sea remain the only naval element in Sri Lanka which can carry guns to the sea.
The Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) being the only Naval Arm of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces is classed as the most vital defence force of Sri Lanka, due being an island. Sri Lanka Navy has approximately 50,000 personnel on active duty as of today. It conducts maritime operations at sea for the defence of the Sri Lankan nation and its interests. Sri Lanka being situated in the middle of major sea lanes passing through the Indian Ocean has always been a magnet for sea farers. Sri Lanka stands amidst major sea routes connecting Africa, Middle East, South Asia and East Asia with Europe and chokepoints such as the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca.
The Leadership
The Elam War IV erupted with renewed virulence in year 2006 and was fought in all fronts of the battle until the leadership of the LTTE met its nemesis in May 2009. The sea battles were very decisive as the SL Navy was effectively led, directed and controlled by the charismatic Commander of the Navy then, Admiral WKJ Karannagoda. He was succeeded by the then Chief of Staff, a highly intellectual and dedicated leader, Vice Admiral TSG Samarasinghe he is a great product of Royal Collage, Colombo and has held an unblemished and a promising service career for virtually 35 years when he was appointed as the 16th Commander of Navy by His Excellency the President Mahinda Rajapaksha on 15th July 2009. His vision regarding the future of the Navy was clearly mirrored when he made an eloquent speech recently at the historic 19th International Sea Power Symposium in Rhode Island, USA
It is noteworthy to quote some interesting parts of his speech for the benefit of the readers of this article.
The survival of the global population is dependent on maritime trade. SLOCS today are highly vulnerable to terrorist and pirate attacks, which threaten this critical lifeline….Preparation to counter maritime terrorism, cannot be undertaken alone, and needs transnational support, unlike combating terrorist activity on land…..Maritime terrorism is global and asymmetric. Our response must be global, appropriate and pre emptive. We can deter, and defeat terrorism at sea if the right steps are taken at the right time in a cooperative effort……Together, trust, collaborative action, dialogue, talk, shares, coordination, breaking barriers, common understanding, unity of effort are….. We need to put those words in to practice…..We in Sri Lanka have done exactly that and given a strong message to Insurgents and terrorists worldwide that they can be decisively defeated. The Sri Lanka navy in this regard has done her duty in eradicating a maritime terrorist group supporting terrorists on land. Now the ball is in our court in supporting Sri Lanka and other countries in denying them from raising their ugly head again. --- The Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Tisara Samarasinghe at the historic 19th International Sea Power Symposium in Rhode Island, USA.
Contribution to the War Effort
Sri Lanka Navy proved its might by venturing out to deep sea for thousands of miles away from our coasts with its “men of war” and hunting down the LTTE floating warehouses thereby depriving the LTTE of the logistic support which is an important principle in any kind of warfare for a force to sustain in battle.
This, without an iota of doubt, was one important factor which helped the ground forces to move forward against de moralized groups of fighters who found themselves to be in the doldrums with munitions stocks dried down to a terrifying condition. All these warships did a remarkable job round the clock to run the naval barriers and blockades to keep the enemy at bay and quarantine the enemy held shores of receiving any kind of support from the outside world.
The most daring force of all time sea battle and the cutting edge of SLN was the Fast Attack Craft (FAC) Squadron, which from its inception in 1984 have held the line tight and stayed together against all odds at sea. FACs were invariably among the first on the scene of action in time of trouble at sea. Never in the history of Naval Warfare in the world have we seen such brave men of honour who dared taking the Sea Tiger’s “Kamikaze” Suicide Craft head on. This was so evident when a Dvora rammed a Suicide craft in an unforgettable heroic feat of the recent past in a valiant effort to save 710 Service personnel onboard MV Pearl Cruise. It was thanks to the same kind of heroes another 854 servicemen’s lives were spared when the Passenger Carrier Jet Liner – A 545 came under attack.
The Special Boats Squadron (SBS) along with the Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS) opened a new concept in littoral combat especially within the sphere of asymmetric warfare to effectively counter the swarming tactics of the Sea Tigers. As cleverly foreseen by the former Commander of the Navy Admiral WKJ Karannagoda, Sri Lanka Navy proved its might in littoral warfare where even the most formidable navies in the present context with all their state of the art war machines are yet to prove themselves.
The Role of the Sri Lanka Navy in the Present Context
During the past 59 years, especially during the last three decades of war, Sri Lanka Navy has been gradually structured to provide four fundamental military and non military capabilities. First is control of the sea to assure Sri Lanka can use the oceans for economic and military purposes while denying such access to opponents in time of crisis or war. Second is the ability to project power ashore with naval gunfire, rockets, and marine forces--either in support of sea-control or to support a joint campaign ashore. Third, the Navy provides Aid to Civil Power in time of unrest or any civil disturbances. Finally, the Navy provides aid by way of men, expertise and material in times of natural calamities. Now the war is over. Yet the battle for success; to free our nation from the manacles of human suffering caused by the savagery of LTTE’s war of attrition has just begun. Sri Lanka as a nation must look back and ponder if they really want to look beyond. Most of us are unaware of the fact that we are standing amidst a vastly resourceful ocean. This is not a time for us to point fingers at our predecessors and kill time and let such valuable resources to which we all Sri Lankans heir to be locked down unutilized or let anyone else to exploit to their advantage. If not the future recorder of the history of our country might well say that Sri Lanka remains a failed nation because its people could not preserve and utilize the resources of the sea around the island nation to the best of its advantage.
With regard to this aspect let’s now see how and why the Sir Lanka Navy being in the vanguard of protecting the island nation during the war will still continue to do so and help the people of Sri Lanka to be a free and determined nation to enjoy a much prospect full and happier living.
Protection of Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCS)
As we all know Sri Lanka claims a total land mass of 65 610 km2 with a costal belt of approximately 1200 km long. Being situated in the centre of the Sea Lines of Communication (SLOC) of east west trade in the Indian Ocean it has become so important for many nations who are involved with the art of Sea Faring. The growing concern for protecting trade at sea in the ever increasing attacks mounted on merchant vessels by the sea pirates in the Indian Ocean has put all seagoing nations on red alert. Hence, the duties and responsibilities of each sea going nation will be very demanding and especially the entire world will now look up to the masters of such warfare, the SL Navy.
Continuous Surveillance and Naval Operation
Sri Lanka Navy will not abdicate nor alienate their duties and responsibilities as the first line of defence of Sri Lankan. Therefore, as envisaged by the policy makers of SLN, it will keep their Warships and all other naval craft in all probable states of readiness and use its state of the art array of Marine Surveillance Radar system installed along the coast. These Radars capable of detecting any inbound threat or any unwanted guest in the sea for a distance of 400km (200 NM) from the coast. All these radars are positioned at strategically important coastal locations and with time to come, will be definitely fortified and expanded as deemed necessary.
Today the SLN is among the most experienced Naval forces specially that of an island Nation in the world. As the newly appointed Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral TSG Samarasinghe emphasises; The primary role of protecting the country from any threat projected from the seaward both in time of war and peace alike remain unchanged but the duty to serve the nation with unwavering dedication in all fronts will be the order of the day for the SLN for the rest of its voyage.
Protection of Maritime Resources and Fishing Industry
We all are aware of the fact that Sri Lanka being an island, by the rights granted by the United Nations Convention of the Law Of the Sea (UNCLOS), can claim a sea area of 21 times of its size of land area and as per the regulations and rights granted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) we can scientifically claim an area equivalent to 27 times that of land area on the continental shelf. More importantly, all the living and non living marine resources therein are belonged to us. These include the crude oil deposits, minerals and marine life. It is incumbent on the Navy to protect these resources being illegally exploited and preserve them for the generations to come. SLN will render any assistance to in all endeavours to use them for the country’s requirements. It is very evident that the optimum utilization of these resources at sea will undoubtedly make Sri Lanka the fastest growing economy in the region.
It is equally important to protect our fishing vessels in cases of natural disasters or even form any kind of atrocities by illegal fishermen on our vessels and above all from the perpetrators of gunrunning, drug trafficking and human smuggling. Hence constabulary duties in the waters extending up to 200 NM from the coastal lines like assisting the Sri Lanka Customs to stop contraband stuff coming into the country and thereby prevent huge losses to the government in terms of revenue from imports, will be among the major tasks of the SLN.
Assisting the Government in Development Activities
The civil administration of the northern islands is carried out with the assistance of the Navy. Recently nearly ten thousand (10 000) IDP s were resettled in the northern islands by the Sri Lanka Navy in liaison with government agents under the Government’s Resettlement Programme. Transit centres for IDP s with domestic facilities have been established by the Navy in the Northern Islands and the registrations and resettlement process is carried out with the assistance of the Navy. Medical clinics and other welfare activities for the IDP s are also facilitated by the Navy.
SLN has been playing a vital role in assisting the government to lift up the living standards of the peoples. The SLN is very much instrumental in making 1509 houses for war heroes at Ipalogama Housing Project and thereby have helped save 423 million Rupees for the governments.
The Navy plays a vital role in recommencing and developing of the fishing industry in the North. Fishing marshalling points have been established by the Navy and fishermen are allowed to indulge in their traditional ways of livelihood twenty four hours of the day without any interruptions.
After taking over the North-western coastal area by the Navy, much development activities have been undertaken there. Naval troops involved in these projects had to clear the area of mines and booby traps before beginning the road contraction projects Silavathura to Mullikulam (27km), Silavathura to Arippu (07Km), Silavathura to Murukkan (11 km), Kokkupadayan to Mahavilachchiya (32km) and Mullikulam to Eluvankulam (33km) are some of the road reconstruction projects which have already been completed and work on Kurulukuda to Pookkulam (30km) road is underway.
Providing Professionals for the Development of the Country
As SLN as a force full of intellectuals and all kind of tradesmen, apart from the fact that they are skilled sea forces, is always prepared to assist our country’s projects in whatever the available means with special emphasis to Research and Development (RND). Naval personnel serving in specialties from medicine, marine, electrical and civil engineering, diving, search and rescue operations, navigations, gunnery to mine warfare with the reservists will undoubtedly make a good force in the Endeavour of making this country a better place for us. The sailors who retire after and ocean full of knowledge and expertise of their fields of interest have a massive demand both in public and private sector. The Navy is very much inclined towards self development of its members. SLN Officers and sailors get a variety of courses in their fields of interests not only in Sri Lanka but in other countries like USA, UK, Germany, China etc. The mammoth exposure Naval personnel get is unmatched to what their counterparts get in other organization in Sri Lanka. Hence, it is always agreeable to refer to Sri Lanka Navy as the “University of Mid Ocean” – Maha Sayura Meda Sarasaviya”
Naval Diplomacy and Strengthening of International Relations
Naval Role doesn’t cease at the limits of maritime boundaries but goes far beyond. Navy makes good will visits to certain countries and even invite them to do combine Naval exercise to instil confidence and cooperation among such navies. 
The beauty of the Navy is by traditions, customs and even by the modus operandi virtually every Navy in the world is similar to each other. The SLN does the role of a diplomat in such interactions. Sri Lanka Navy is playing an important role in enhancing bilateral relations with our closest neighbour India by conducting combined training exercises and all other multi faceted interactions with the Indian Navy.
Providing Assistance During Natural Calamities and Disasters and Conducting SAR Missions
The beauty of the Navy is by traditions, customs and even by the modus operandi virtually every Navy in the world is similar to each other. The SLN does the role of a diplomat in such interactions. Sri Lanka Navy is playing an important role in enhancing bilateral relations with our closest neighbour India by conducting combined training exercises and all other multi faceted interactions with the Indian Navy.
Providing Assistance During Natural Calamities and Disasters and Conducting SAR MissionsAs per the agreements with the International Maritime Organization and International Hydrographic Organization, littoral countries have allocated with sea areas of responsibility for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations. The search and rescue region allocated to Sri Lanka extends up to a vest sea area and is about twenty seven times of the land mass. Sri Lanka Navy upholds its moral principal of helping anyone who is in troubled waters both at sea and on land in times of manmade or natural disasters by conducting Search and Rescue (SAR) missions. SLN is a force capable of doing search and rescue missions at times of disaster at sea, during floods or in any event where the requirements divers and life savers are required. Naval divers and rescue teams are ready to respond to any disastrous situation at a short notice where ordinary man power and human skill would not match the demands of such situations.
Protection to Life Lines of the Nation
Most of the important water reservoirs in the country are guarded and patrolled by the Sri Lanka Navy. Naval personnel are called in to activate harbour facilities during state of unrest and even where uninterrupted supply of essential services is required.
Contribution to Sports and Recreation
The Navy which is constituted of physically and mentally fit personnel who excel in all kind of water sports and other field sport activities help promote sailing, swimming, rowing and others kind of aquatic sports and recreation among the people of Sri Lanka. Also they take part in international sports events and have brought credit to Sri Lanka.
Organizational Ethics
The SLN being a force renowned for its ethical behaviours towards the environment displays strict compliance with the standards of environmental protection and stands firm against sea pollution by any means. It also exemplifies its pious attitude by helping all kind of communities to arrange religious festivals and help construct and renovate places of worship. SLN also actively participate in the educational process of the country by training the School Naval Cadets of the National Cadet Corps and even conducting awareness programmers on disaster management through participatory lectures, seminars and even through the mass media.
Hence, it has to be borne in our mind that the Sri Lanka Navy is doing a mammoth and respectful service to the public as well as to the government of Sri Lanka to maintain peace and boost up economy in the country. No person with a sense of gratitude can ever forget the noble service the SLN has done for the country and its people ever since its inception. The days of terror is no more but still the Navy is always awake to preserve the National interests.
As the Sri Lanka navy sets sail for the 60th year it we are morally obliged to remember those “Few Dood Men” who paid the supreme sacrifice to keep our nation’s Lion Flag flying high. The nation is forever indebted to our heroes who sacrificed life, limb and liberty for our country. They are among the best of our country and a shining example to all in our nation. It’s an honor to say that we were your comrade sailors.
There is no group of people that we hold in higher regard than our fallen sailors. The flag that draped over their casket during their last journey is the same flag that they fought, bled, and died for. We feel you in every wave that laps ashore, every breath we take and in every flower we smell and touch. It is because of you that we live in the greatest, freest and proudest country in the world.After 59 years of excellence in valour, glamour and grandeur, SLN today, is a formidable, determined and professional force which will be blessed with fair winds and following seas in the voyage they steer our country for the glory.
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