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Sri Lanka Navy - Naval Areas

In the late 1980s the force was divided into three Naval Area Commands--Northern, Eastern, and Western--with a fourth (Southern Command) to be established at a later date. By the year 2012 command and administrative control the waters of Sri Lanka and the littoral districts was divided into six Naval Areas. For the efficient maintenance of all ships, craft and vehicles and to ensure the operational readiness of commands and units each area has its own harbor/ base, repair and refitting facilities, signal centres, logistic, civil engineering and medical facilities. Demarcation of the areas has been based on geographical entities and maritime administrative districts.

The Commander of the Navy (C of N) exercises operational and administrative control of the Sri Lanka Navy from Naval Headquarters, Colombo. He is assisted by the Chief of Staff (C of S), Director Generals and Directors comprising the Board of Management (BOM) and Board of Directors (BOD) of the Sri Lanka Navy. The Navy has seven commands, each under the control of a flag officer commanding designated as Area Authority of the respective command.

For effective command and administrative control, the waters of Sri Lanka and the littoral districts are divided into seven Naval Areas. For the efficient maintenance of all ships, craft and vehicles and to ensure the operational readiness of commands and units each area shall have its own harbour/ base, repair and refitting facilities, signal centres, logistic, civil engineering and medical facilities. Demarcation of the areas has been based on geographical entities and maritime administrative districts.

Eastern Naval Area

The Eastern Naval Area shall comprise the waters bounded by the Exclusive Economic Zone on the Eastern Sea Board from the line 090 degrees from (Sangamankanda Point) latitude 07 degrees 02 minutes north extending northward to line 090 degrees from (Nallathannithuduway) latitude 09 degrees 27.5 minutes north.

The North Central Naval Area shall comprise the waters bounded by the Exclusive Economic Zone on the Western Sea Board and International and Historic Waters on the Northern and Western Sea Board from the line 270 degrees from (Wallaipadu) Latitude 09 degrees 22.5 minutes north extending southward to line 270 degrees from (Arippu) latitude 08 degrees 48 minutes north.

Northern Naval Area

The Northern Naval Area shall comprise the waters bounded by the Exclusive Economic Zone on the North Eastern Sea board and International and Historic Waters on the Northern and North Western Sea Board from the line 090 degrees (Nallathannithuduway) latitude 09 degrees 27.5 minutes north extending westward through the Palk strait and Palk Bay to the line 270 degrees from (Wallaipadu) latitude 09 degrees 22.5 minutes north.

Southern Naval Area

The Southern Naval Area shall comprise the waters bounded by the Exclusive Economic Zone on the Southern Sea board southward from the line 270 degrees from (Hikkaduwa) latitude 06 degrees 08 minutes north extending eastward to line 090 degrees from (Sangamankanda Point) latitude 07 degrees 02 minutes north.

Western Naval Area (NAVWEST)

The Western Naval Area shall comprise the waters bounded by the Exclusive Economic Zone on the Western Sea board from the line 270 degrees from (Udappuwa) latitude 07 degrees 44 minutes north extending southward to a line 270 degrees from (Hikkaduwa) latitude 06 degrees 08 minutes north.

North Western Naval Area

The North Western Naval Area shall comprise the waters bounded by the Exclusive Economic Zone on the Western Sea Board from the line 270 degrees from (Arippu) latitude 08 degrees minutes north extending southward to a line 270 degrees from (Udappuwa) latitude 07 degrees 44 minutes north.