Page 195 - MDSL Final

THE ENABLERS OF MARITIME POWER
height of eye for radars and EOD’s enabling extended surveillance. The
established microwave highway has facilitated video conferencing and
data transmission throughout the seven naval areas. Data networking
facilitated the Area Commanders and Naval Headquarters to stream real
time video and battle picture by radar of tactical operations conducted
during the last phase of the Humanitarian Operation. With improvements
to NAVAIDS, a state of the art network centric surveillance system
consisting of over the horizon High Frequency surface wave radars were
acquired in 2008/2009 which tremendously improved the land based
surveillance to further enhance MDA in order to deter unlawful activities
happening even beyond the horizon of our coast. Thus, the Electrical and
Electronic Department was not merely a technically support arm but a
solution provider for real time decision making at the height of the war.

Civil Engineering Department has its roots dating back to 1966 where 56
men of the Royal Ceylon Army who were provided to repair the damages
and clearance operations of shore facilities in Trincomalee harbour
and its environments caused by the 1964 cyclone, were enlisted to the
Work Service Branch of the Royal Ceylon Navy. The establishment of the
first landlocked Naval Command, the North Central Naval Command
at Medawachchiya in 1996 as a Rear Headquarters to the naval
battalions deployed for the ‘Operation Jayasikuru’ was one of the major
accomplishments of this branch. In late 1990’s the influx of Volunteer
Special Scheme (VSS) sailors into this branch facilitated undertaking of
many projects simultaneously.

Construction of accommodation for naval personnel, swimming pools,
slip ways, reconstruction of damaged piers, Ranajayapura housing project
and tower erections are some of the mega projects undertaken by this
branch along with the establishment of the Northwestern Command,
Southeastern Command and construction of cantonments, large naval
bases and satellite bases with prefabricated steel buildings after the
conflict in 2009. The proven capabilities in undertaking constructions
of various magnitude and variety by this branch has been well admired
and recognised which has prompted successive governments to utilise
personnel of this branch for national infrastructure development
projects.

To Nurture a Stable Environment at Sea 175