Navy
The Sri Lankan maritime tradition reaches back in to pre-history. Legend refers to a class or community knows as the ‘Naga’. It is believed that the members of this community were seafarers; the long and sinuous wake behind their ships producing a snake like appearance, hence the name ‘naga’ meaning serpent. Through recorded history (500 BC onwards) while there has been an active maritime tradition for the purpose of commerce, there is little record of military activity at sea. This probably stems from the fact that the ancient Sinhalese were content on maintaining their independence within the shores of our island and rarely ventured out on campaigns of conquest. This lacuna became apparent after 1505 and the arrival of the first European adventurers to the island. While the Sinhalese armies fought the Portuguese, Dutch and British successfully for over three centuries on land these powers continued to enjoy control of the waters around the island effectively preventing the country from maintaining contact with the outside world.
The history of the present Sri Lanka Navy begins in 1937 with the formation of the Ceylon Naval Volunteer Force (CNVF). At the end of the Second World War the CNVF was absorbed in to the Royal Navy as the Ceylon Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve (CRNVR). After independence from British rule the foundation for the post colonial Navy was developed around a cadre of 100 officers and men and the Royal Ceylon Navy came in to being on 9 December 1950 with the enactment of the Navy Act and after the republican constitution of 1972 became the Sri Lanka Navy.
Today, the Sri Lanka navy is a well balanced, trained and cohesive force tasked with conducting prompt and sustainable combat operations at sea in accordance with national policies.
The Sri Lanka Navy is led by the Commander of the Navy who reports to the Commander in Chief – the president of Sri Lanka through the secretary of defence. For effective command of the waters around the island the littoral districts are divided in to five naval areas. In order to ensure the operational readiness of commands and units each area has its own harbors, shore stations, repair and refitting facilities, signal centers, logistic, civil engineering and medical facilities. Demarcation of the areas are based on geographical features and maritime administrative districts.
Utilizing the assets based in these areas the Navy engages in deep sea surveillance, Fast Attack Craft Operations, Convoy/Logistic movements, Harbor security, Inshore Patrol Craft operations, Covert operations as well as providing ground support to the Sri Lanka Army and Police. The bulk of the Navy’s present day operations are aimed at defeating the maritime capability of the LTTE.
These operations are conducted by a well trained fleet of combat and support vessels ranging from Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs), Fast Missile Vessels (FMVs), Landing ships and troop carriers to Gunboats and Fast Attack Craft.
The Sri Lanka Navy with almost 30 years of combat experience against one of the most ruthless terror groups in recent history – the LTTE, is one of the most battle hardened maritime forces in the world. Through dissemination of combat experience, intensive training and continuous research and development in indigenous maritime technology and operational doctrine the Sri Lanka Navy has successfully achieved dominance of the waters around the island – it has neutralized the enemy’s maritime re supply lanes and has effectively countered the once formidable LTTE suicide attack capability.
The Sri Lanka Navy looks towards the future with confidence and determination in the sacred role of defending our islands maritime interests.
