Naval and Maritime Academy
Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA), Trincomalee, is the military academy of the Sri Lanka Navy, and is located within SLN Dockyard, Trincomalee. It received university status in 2001 under the leadership of Commodore SR Samaratunga.
Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee | |
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Active | 15 January 1967 – present |
Country | Sri Lanka |
Type | Training |
Role | Officer and sailor Training |
Garrison/HQ | SLN Dockyard, Trincomalee |
Nickname(s) | NMA |
Motto(s) | Moulding future Admirals |
Anniversaries | 15 July |
Commanders | |
Commandant | Commodore Kalana Jinadasa |
Sri Lanka Navy |
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Components |
History |
Ships |
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Personnel |
History
The Sri Lanka Naval and Maritime Academy was established on 15 January 1967, and was subsequently commissioned on 15 July 1967 with Instructor Commander M. G. S. Perera as the first Commandant,[2] taking over responsibility for officer training from the Britannia Royal Naval College at Dartmouth, England.
As well as initial officer training the NMA conducts Sub Lieutenant Technical Courses for Executive, Logistic and NPM branch officers, in addition to training other officer grades such as Direct Entry (Degree holders), Service Entry & Short Service commissioned schemes. The Officer Cadet Entry scheme has been accredited to the University of Kelaniya since 2001. The academy at present is accredited to Kotalawala Defence University, and is expanding to meet the naval and national demands.
All officer trainees who undergo the stipulated programme receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in Naval and Maritime Studies, Naval Studies and Naval Logistics Management.
NMA also conducts the Long Logistics Management Course which is the first ever long specialization course leading to an MBA degree. It also regularly conducts an 18-week-long Junior Naval Staff Course. In 2015 a long specialization course for middle level executive officers in the fields of Navigation, Communication, Gunnery and ASW was begun. Training for naval ratings encompasses phase III and advanced training courses comprised with branch training, specialization training, mechanical and technical training.
NMA hold the ISO 9001:2000 Quality Management System Certification awarded by the Sri Lanka Standards Institution in 2007.[3] This was upgraded to ISO 9001:2008 in 2010. In recognition of its service rendered over the years, the NMA was awarded with the prestigious President's Colours in 2003.
Faculties and schools
Anti-submarine warfare school
The first course for UC/UW III trainees was conducted on 8 February 1993 under the command of the OIC Nautical School. On 7 May 2002, ASW School was established and first OIC was LCdr D. A. S. Pothupitiya. The school imparts practical and theoretical knowledge pertaining to undersea warfare in order to produce under water warfare specialized sailors and officers for Sri Lanka Navy.
Diving school
The school was established on 16 June 1996 and producing well qualified divers not only to the Sri Lanka Navy, but also conducting courses for officers and soldiers of Special Force and Commando Regiments of Sri Lanka Army. The first OIC of the school was LCdr (CDO) U. V. M. P. Perera.
Medical Assistants Training School
This school was established on 21 May 1998 at old library building and is capable of conducting basic nursing courses for medical branch sailors. The first OIC of the school was Lt (WM) V. A. D. N. Edward.
Combat Training Unit
The school was established near Waterloo junction on 23 October 2003 and conducts courses for patrolmen branch officers and sailors, and a combat module for all other officers and sailors. The first OIC of the school was of LCdr (NP) K. G. N. Ranaweera.
NBCD School
The Nuclear Biological Chemical Defence and fire fighting and damage control school was established on 7 March 2006. The first OIC of the school was LCdr (E) D. M. N. A. Dassanayake.
Naval Marksmanship & Sniper Training School
The school was established on 18 December 2006 at Waterloo junction and subsequently shifted to its present location at Shoebury junction on 18 December 2007. This school is capable of producing snipers for the Sri Lanka Navy. Lt (NP) K. P. N. G. Kariyawasam was the first OIC of the school.
Training courses
There are several intakes for cadet officers and midshipmen annually. These are under the following category:[4]
Officer mid-career courses
- Long Logistics Management Course (LLMC) - Accredited to the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University for the Master of Business Administration in Logistics Management.[5]
- Junior Naval Staff Course (JNSC) - Accredited to the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University for the Post Graduate Diploma in Defence Management.
- Service Entry Technical Course (for Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Hull Engineering, Civil Engineering, Administration Officer Health, Information Technology and Band Master Branches) - Accredited to the University of Kelaniya for a Post Graduate Diploma.
Officer entry courses
- Sub Lieutenant Technical Course
- Executive branch - Accredited to the University of Kelaniya for the Bachelor of Science in Naval and Maritime Studies.
- Logistics branch - Accredited to the University of Kelaniya for the Bachelor of Science in Logistic Management
- Naval Patrolman Branch/Provost Branch - Accredited to the University of Kelaniya for the Bachelor of Science in Naval Studies
- Direct Entry Course (for professional for other branches)
- General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Entry Course[7]
- Service Entry Course (for serving ratings)
Other courses
- Long Gunnery Course
- Long Navigation Course
- Long Communication Course
- Long Anti-Submarine Warfare Course
Commandants
- Commodore M. G. S. Perera — Founder and First Commandant NMA and the First Director, Naval Training.
- Rear Admiral Sunil Ranjan Samaratunga RSP, VSV, USP, SLN
- Admiral H. A. de Silva VSV, ndc, psc, SLN — former Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy
- Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda RSP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc SLN — former Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy
- Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe, RSP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, DISS, MNI, SLN — former Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy
- Rear Admiral Susith Weerasekara RSP, VSV, USP, ndu, psn, MSc. (DS) Mgmt, DISS, DIDSS — present Deputy Chief of staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, under whose tenure (in 2003) the NMA received the President's colour
Notable alumni
- Lieutenant-Commander Jude Lakmal Wijethunge, PWV, SLN †
- Admiral D. W. K. Sandagiri VSV, USP, rcds, ndc, psc, JP SLN — Commander of the Navy (2001–2005)
- Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda RSP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc SLN — Commander of the Navy (2005–2009)
- Rear Admiral Mohan Jayamaha, RWP, VSV, USP, psc, SLN † — Commander Northern Naval Area
- Rear Admiral Frank Quintus Wickramaratne, VSV — Chief of Staff Sri Lanka Navy (1989-1992) (also served as Training Commander of the Naval and Maritime Academy)
- Lieutenant Anil Samarasekera - Serjeant-at-Arms of the Sri Lankan Parliament
See also
- SLN Dockyard
- SLNS Gajabahu
- General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
- Sri Lanka Military Academy
- Air Force Academy, China Bay
References
- Weliwitigoda, M. H. (10 August 2004). "Instructor Commander M. G. S. Perera - the founder of the Naval Academy". Daily News. Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- "Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA) Receives ISO 9001:2000". Ministry of Defence and Urban Development. 30 December 2010. Archived from the original on 17 February 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- "Become an officer". Sri Lanka Navy. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- "Logistics Staff Course". Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
- Silva, Rashomi (3 September 2002). "Memorials to a brave, old world". Daily News. Associated Newspapers of Ceylon Limited. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
External links
- Sri Lanka Navy
- "Second Language Training For Navy Personnel". Official Languages Commission. 2005. Archived from the original on 8 February 2012.