Navy Chief presides over Diving School’s 25th Anniversary

The Sri Lanka Navy’s (SLN) Diving School celebrated its 25th anniversary with a commemorative event on Saturday (8), held at the Diving Training School at Naval Dockyard, Trincomalee. The event was graced by Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera. The Diving School, a vital training institution for Navy Divers, was established on 10th June 1999.

The Diving Training School is dedicated to providing rigorous, scientifically-based training to develop Diving Officers and Sailors for the SLN. Notably, the present Navy Commander, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, was the inaugural Commanding Officer of this institution. The School commenced operations at the Naval and Maritime Academy with an initial team of 6 Sailors.

Established in January 1965, the SLN Diving and Salvage Unit has played a pivotal role in national security by conducting essential underwater operations for the Navy, since its inception. The Navy Diving and Salvage Unit’s professionals offer specialised diving support for underwater salvage, rescue, demolition, and construction. Their expertise extends beyond Naval operations, assisting various governmental and non-governmental sectors, and they also provide diving training to the tri-service Special Forces.

Further, the Navy Commander highlighted that the School was established with the objective of providing systematic and scientific training to Diving Officers and Sailors. The School was designed to specialise in both Diving Operations and Training, ensuring these functions are carried out independently.

The Navy Chief highlighting the extensive legacy of the Navy’s Diving Unit, recounted the remarkable diving missions conducted by late Commander Shanti Bahar, who bravely ventured into enemy territory and executed specializsed diving operations.

Later, Commander Bahar played a pivotal role in establishing the Naval Infantry branch as well. Vice Admiral Perera also remarked that the initiatives undertaken by the late Commander Bahar served as a source of inspiration for Special Forces of sister Services, motivating them to conduct long-range operations.

The Navy Commander emphasised the critical need for Naval personnel with outstanding endurance, particularly in specialised units like the Diving Unit. He highlighted the rigorous nature of the training required for such roles, stating that it demands intense preparation.

The Navy Commander stressed the importance of utilising the skills and leadership of trainers to enhance endurance among trainees. He highlighted the necessity of employing scientific methods in the training of the Diving Unit and other Special Forces.

The occasion was attended by the Commander Eastern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, Commandant Naval and Maritime Academy, Commodore Rohan Joseph, Senior and Junior Officers from the Eastern Naval Command and the Diving Officers, the first Chief Instructor of the Diving School, Master Chief Petty Officer (Rtd) MACN Ansari and a group of Naval personnel.

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