New Navy Commander receives blessings in Kandy

In one of his engagements since assuming duties as the 27th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Damian Fernando visited Kandy today (10 July 2026). During the visit, he paid homage at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic and called on the Chief Prelates of the Malwathu and Asgiri chapters. The Navy Chief was accompanied by the President of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Mrs. Kaushalya Opatha Fernando.

The Navy Commander first visited the Malwathu Maha Viharaya and paid obeisance to the Most Venerable Thibbatuwawe Sri Siddhartha Sumangala Mahanayaka Thero. Next, he made traditional 'Pirikara' offerings and received the Chief Prelate's blessings.

Subsequently, Vice Admiral Fernando arrived at the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, where he was received by the Chief Lay Custodian of the temple, Mr. Pradeep Nilanga Dela. The Commander of the Navy paid homage to the Sacred Tooth Relic to invoke blessings on future endeavours of the Navy. 

Following this, Vice Admiral Fernando visited the Asgiri Maha Viharaya to call on the Most Venerable Warakagoda Sri Gnanarathana Mahanayaka Thero. Upon the ritual of offering 'Pirikara', the Chief Prelate offered spiritual guidance for the upcoming assignments of the Navy Chief.

The Secretary to Commander of the Navy and Naval Secretary, Commodore Kumara Munasinghe, Commanding Officer SLNS Shilpa, Captain Hemantha Ranasinghe and a group of naval personnel were present on this occasion.