Naval Deployment Panama located in the South Eastern Naval Area was commissioned as SLNS Mahanaga by Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage on 28th October 2013.
President of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Srima Colombage, Commander South Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral DEC Jayakody, senior naval officers attached to the NHQ and the South Eastern Naval Command were also present on the occasion.
In keeping with traditional naval customs, Commander of the Navy handed over the Commissioning Warrant to the Commanding Officer of SLNS Mahanaga, Captain PAJN Ponnamperuma who read out the Commissioning Warrant declaring the commissioning of the naval base. The Commissioning Pennant was hoisted thereafter followed by the customary flag salute.
The Naval Deployment Panama was first established on 22nd January 2011 to ensure the security of the adjacent seas and the coastal area. Naval Detachments Arugambay, Oluwil, Kalmunai and Saindamarudu function under its purview. To coincide with the naval base commissioning, a health clinic was also conducted at the Bodhirukkharamaya under the guidance of Chief Incumbent Ven. Panama Chandarathana Thera. Approximately 100 spectacles were donated to the patients with vision problems.
[mappress] Press Release, October 29, 2013; Image: Navy