Sri Lanka Navy pays tribute to the nation with a 25-Gun Salute

As part of the 76th National Independence Day celebration, the Sri Lanka Navy paid tribute to the nation with a 25-Gun Salute on board the Sri Lanka Naval Ship (SLNS) Sayura at noon on Sunday (04).

A Gun Salute is viewed as a gesture of respect, and the utmost honour of a 25-gun salute is exclusively reserved for the nation. The custom stems from naval tradition in the 14th century, where warships were firing their cannons indicating they were effectively disarmed, to signify the lack of hostile intent towards the opposition. The same gesture has been reciprocated by cannon in coastal fortifications, to indicate the incoming ship that they are defused. It has become a custom over time.

In 1948, the Royal Navy had fired a 15- Gun Salute at the Galle Face Green on the first Independence Day. In the following year, it had been executed on board HMCyS ‘Vijaya’ using one cannon.

On the 73rd Independence Day (2021), the Sri Lanka Navy honoured the nation by according a 25-gun-salute on board SLNS Samudura and on the 74th Independence Day (2022) on board SLNS Gajabahu. Last year (2023) the time-honoured naval custom was also performed onboard SLNS Gajabahu.

Traditionally, the main mast of a ship is dressed with naval signal flags when a Gun Salute honour is presented.

Bursts of gunfire presented from four 47mm guns fitted onboard SLNS Sayura rent the air in the city of Colombo, rekindling the national spirits. The gunfire party comprised Commanding Officer SLNS Sayura Captain Luxman Amarasinghe, Executive Officer Commander Liyanage Viraj and Gunnery Officer, Lieutenant Commander WMCP Witharana.