Commander of the Navy attends the ceremonial inauguration of Sri Lanka Coast Guard

Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy Vice Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe attended the ceremonial inauguration of Sri Lanka Coast Guard, where His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, yesterday (4th March 2010)at the Port  of Galle.The Commander of the Navy had been invited for the occasion by the Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guard Rear Admiral Daya Dharmapriya.

One minute silence was observed after the National Anthem as a tribute to all War Heroes who made the Supreme Sacrifice for the unity of Motherland. The  Chief Guest and other invitees were  welcomed by Director General of SL Coast Guard.
His Excellency the President addressed the distinguished gathering and subsequently the President presented the Inauguration Warrant to the Director General of SL Coast Guard.

Mementos were presented to His Excellency the President, Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and  to the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy by Director General of SL Coast Guard.

Secretary of the Ministry of Defence Mr.Gotabhaya Rajapaksa ,Governor of the Southern Province Hon.Kumari Balasooriya, Governor of the Eastern Province Rear Asmiral Mohan Wijewickrama, Honorable Ambassadors in Sri Lanka and more other invitees too participated in the event.

The Coast Guard Act was passed by the Parliament on 9th July 2009.The Department of Coast Guard is an institution that impose the Peace in the territorial seas around the island and by the Act Coast Guard Officers are empowered to arrest the personnel, vessels and ships which  engage in illegal activities and to prosecute them for legal actions.