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Naval Expansion from 1956 to 1964

Along with the rest of the Nation, the Navy experienced the new thinking of the era that began in 1956. In terms of foreign and defence policy there was a shift towards nonalignment to power-blocs, going beyond mere neutrality in war to co-existence in world politics. The Defence Agreements, signed at the time of Independence, were considered as contrary to this policy and moves were taken towards a peaceful hand-over of the British-manned Bases, particularly Trincomalee and Katunayake, and some camps in Diyatalawa.

The Navy was called upon to shoulder a big burden and also reap some benefits. Apart from acquiring a fully-equipped new camp in Diyatalawa (ex- H.M.S. UVA), it had to take over the large Base, H.M.S HIGHFLYER at Trincomalee, with the barest of resources. The event was of enormous significance both politically and Navy-wise. The Prime Minister, S.W.R.D. Bandaranaike announced this was the removal of a remnant of colonialism and one more step towards full freedom. VIPs and Members of Parliament came to the ceremony in a special, gaily-decorated train. The RN ensign was struck and the R.Cy.N. ensign was hoisted.

Along with the rest of the Nation, the Navy experienced the new thinking of the era that began in 1956. In terms of foreign and defence policy there was a shift towards nonalignment to power-blocs, going beyond mere neutrality in war to co-existence in world politics. The Defence Agreements, signed at the time of Independence, were considered as contrary to this policy and moves were taken towards a peaceful hand-over of the British-manned Bases, particularly Trincomalee and Katunayake, and some camps in Diyatalawa.

The abrogation of the Defence Agreements meant that the Navy had to be expanded and provided with ships to protect our waters. Both were done. The Navy, which had been 48 Officers and 510 Sailors strong in 1951-1958. Most of them were needed to man the new ships that were being added to the fleet, which yet comprised VIJAYA, KOTIYA and the "Bird" class patrol boats. The first addition was another "Algerian" class Minesweeper, ex-H.M.S. PICKLE which was taken over in England, commissioned H.M.Cy.S. PARAKRAMA and sailed home in 1958. She was followed by H.M.Cy.S. MAHASENA a Canadian built "River" class Frigate (ex-H.M.C.S. VIOLETTA, ORKNEY and ex-Israeli ship MIVTACH) which was taken over at Djibouti and sailed home in 1959.

Prior to this, an Ocean going Tug, ex-H.M.S. ADEPT had been purchased in 1957. Last of all, another "River" class Frigate, H.M.Cy.S. GAJABAHU (ex-H.M.C.S. HALLOWELL, ex-Israeli MISNAK) was delivered at Trincomalee in 1960. The R.Cy.N. was well on the way to becoming a respectable "Blue Water" Navy. JET '60 were larger than ever: 38 ships from 6 Commonwealth navies participated in exercises that spanned the Bay of Bengal.

When the Prime Minister was tragically felled by the assassin's bullet, dramatic experiences awaited the Navy and the Nation. The Nation experienced repeated changes of government and political leadership. A different fate awaited the Navy.

Armed with a Blue Water capability, a cruise of two ships to the Far East was considered. Government agreed and MAHASENA and PARAKRAMA sailed on a goodwill mission, calling at Singapore, Bangkok, Hong Kong, Tokyo, Port Swettenham and Penang. PARAKRAMA, with engine trouble and, with a typhoon building up in the China Sea, was to remain in Hong Kong while MAHASENA sailed to Tokyo where Adm. de Mel had flown in advance to.

After a very fruitful visit, being hosted by the Ambassador, Sir Susantha de Fonseka (a former Naval Officer whose commission had been withdrawn, while being Deputy Speaker of the State Council, for daring to say that the British were under-pricing our Rubber, but subsequently Knighted!), Adm. de Mel took passage on MAHASENA, flying his flag, to rendezvous with PARAKRAMA and sail back home. Before they arrived, Colombo was agog with the news that the ships were smuggling arms and ammunition.

The Inspector General of Police boarded the ships and found none other than those brought for the government. What he did not find was the large consignment of liquor which some unscrupulous officers had smuggled on board. MAHASENA was sailed to Kalpitiya on patrol to enable the contraband to be consigned to the sea but again, certain persons managed to sell the consignment. The Navy had little excuse to offer. After a Commission of Inquiry, the Captain of the Navy was relieved of command, nine officers had their commissions withdrawn, eight were compulsorily retired and a number of sailors discharged.

Hard on the heels of this, came an attempted "Coup d' etat" by a mixed group of Army and Police Officers and a few Civil Servants. Warned belatedly by a would-be participant, it was nipped in the bud, but it transpired that the recently relieved Captain of the Navy was one of the plotters. The Navy's brief Summer had ended.

The backlash by government affected both the Navy and, in the long run, the country. Of the many steps taken, the most serious were the stoppage of recruitment of officers. Cadets and sailors for over seven years, the loss of important Bases and Barracks (RANGALLA and GEMUNU), the stoppage of training in England and the break-up of the Fleet. MAHASENA, PARAKRAMA and ALIYA were de-commissioned and sold off. KOTIYA and VIJAYA were not replaced when sunk in a cyclone. GAJABAHU alone remained, and it was again a "one ship Navy". The Navy had no work to do and when Cyclone "Emily" struck the Dockyard hard it was a gesture symbolic of destruction.