President issues gazette to award 75th Anniversary Navy Medal

Colombo, Jan. 20 (Daily Mirror) - President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has issued a Gazette Extraordinary to award a commemorative medal to all ranks of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Sri Lanka Navy, as well as civil employees of the approved cadre, to mark the 75th Anniversary of the Sri Lanka Navy.

According to the President’s proclamation, the medal is intended to recognise naval personnel and civil employees who were in active service on December 9, 2025.

The institution of the commemorative medal coincides with a series of events held to mark the Sri Lanka Navy’s milestone anniversary, including the International Fleet Review 2025, which saw the participation of warships from eight countries, including India, Pakistan and Russia. During the main anniversary celebrations held earlier in December at the new Defence Headquarters in Akuregoda, a representative group of naval personnel, including Commander of the Navy Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, symbolically received the medal.

In his proclamation, President Dissanayake said that the award serves as a mark of appreciation for the discipline, courage and honour demonstrated by the Sri Lanka Navy, with particular recognition of their recent contributions to disaster relief efforts during Cyclone Ditwah.

The regulations governing the newly instituted medal, set out in Gazette Extraordinary No. 2472/02, outline eligibility and forfeiture criteria. The medal will be awarded to all eligible members of the Regular and Volunteer Forces of the Navy, including those undergoing basic training, as well as permanent civil employees of the approved cadre who were in active service on December 9, 2025.