According of a Gun Salute could be held on National Independence Day or a particular day designated by the government as a mark of respect to the nation and the highest honour of 25-gun salute is only accorded to the nation. Going by this time-honoured custom, Sri Lanka Navy today executed this military honour from SLNS Gajabahu to coincide with the 74th Independence Day celebrations and this rare occasion was televised/broadcast live through electronic media.
As long as the number of Gun Salute is concerned, a Captain and below rank in command of a ship could be accorded a 07 as a return salute. Ranging from the minimum number; a 09 Gun Salute for Consul, 11 for Commodore or equivalent and Consul General, 13 for Rear Admiral or equivalent and charged affairs or subordinate diplomatic agent left in charge of a mission, 15 for Vice Admiral or equivalent, 17 for Admiral or equivalent, Envoys Extraordinary and Ministers Plenipotentiary, Governor, High Commissioner, Governor General and Secretary of Defence, 19 for Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, Admiral of the Fleet and equivalent, 21 for President of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and other President of a Republic or Heads of a States, foreign sovereign and entitled members of Royal family is accorded as deemed necessary.
This naval tradition dates back to the 14th century. In 1948, the Navy had fired a 15- Gun Salute at the Galle Face Green on the first Independence Day. The Gun Salute honour accorded to the nation onboard SLNS Gajabahu today, recorded in the history of Sri Lanka Navy as the tradition executed onboard platform for the second time after 72 years, subsequent to such naval honour presented way back in 1950 onboard HMCyS ‘Vijaya’.
Traditionally, the main mast of a ship is dressed with maritime signal flags when a Gun Salute honor is presented. Accordingly, to deck out the vessel with flags for this ceremonial occasion, the main mast of SLNS Gajabahu had been dressed with signal flags denoting the phrase ‘25 Gun Salutes for the Nation’.
Bursts of gunfire presented from four 47mm guns fitted onboard SLNS Gajabahu rent the air in the city of Colombo, rekindling the national spirits. Meanwhile, the gunfire party comprised Commanding Officer SLNS Gajabahu, Captain Malan Perera, Executive Officer, Commander DMAB Dissanayake, and Gunnery Officer, Lieutenant Commander, IAWB Egalla.
