25 Years of ICS in Sri Lanka

Date of Issue: February 09, 2012

The Philatelic Bureau of the Department of Posts issued to commemorate 25 years of Institute of chartered Ship Brokers, Sri Lanka Branch.

Being an island nation, SRI LANKA was heavily depended on her Shipping Industry for promotion of the export/import trade with her overseas trading partners and for the development of her economy. No wonder therefore, the local shipping industry was buzzing with activity day in/ day out.

Up to about the early 1980s, professionals in shipping were rarely found in the island. It was around this time and sensing the Lacuna, the management of the Ceylon Shipping Corporation (CSC) - the National Carrier - formulated a policy decision which made it mandatory for its staff (clerical and middle management level) to qualify the examinations conducted by the “Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) - UK” to be eligible for promotion in the hierarchy of the organization. In order to facilitate this process and also assist the aspirants who desired to qualify; the management of CSC provided a well-equipped library including study material required for these examinations. Having followed a traditionally set process of shipping practices that existed in the local industry which had evolved over the decades; this move by the CSC was to revolutionize the approach to many issues that emanated in the industry, come future. And it did as it subsequently turned out to be.

Many thanks to my swap friend, Prasanna Jayathillake (Jay Dew in Facebook) for the stamp and First Day Cover.

Text Source: srilankastamps.lk

Card from Sri Lanka - SLNS Sayurala (P623)

Received this postcard as a surprise from blogger friend, Mr. Ravindra Ratnapala, Colombo, Sri Lanka.

The card shows the flag of the Sri Lankan Navy and Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) SLNS Sayurala (meaning: sea waves), with pennant number P623. It was named as the CGS Vigraha (39), a Vikram class offshore patrol craft of the Indian Coast Guard. She was in service in Sri Lanka from 2009 to 2011, during the Sri Lankan Civil War.

Source: Wikipedia

Sri Lanka Navy - 60th Anniversary (1950 - 2010)

Date of Issue: December 09, 2010

Sri Lanka Navy’s 60th Anniversary commemoration Stamp and First Day Cover was ceremonially issued by HE the President Mahinda Rajapaksa during the colour awarding ceremony held at Colombo Light House premises on December 09, 2010, in the presence of the Secretary to Ministry of Post & Telecommunication Mr. Asoka Jayasekara and Post Master General Mr. MKD Dissanayake.

December 09 is also celebrated as Navy Day in Sri Lanka.

The current Sri Lankan Navy was established on December 09, 1950 when the Navy Act was passed for the formation of the Royal Ceylon Navy. The roots of the modern Sri Lankan Navy dates back to 1937 when the Ceylon Naval Volunteer Force was established, which was renamed and absorbed into the Royal Navy as the Ceylon Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve during World War II. The current name Sri Lanka Navy was constituted in 1972 when Sri Lanka becoming a Republic and the introduction of new constitution.

The pennant number of the watercraft depicted on stamp is not visible but I think it is one of the Fast Attack Craft of the Sri Lanka Navy.

Many thanks to my blogger friend, Mr. Ravindra Ratnapala for sending me this stamp and the same on envelope too.

Source: Wikipedia, navy.lk

Columbus 500th Anniv - Sri Lanka FDC

Date of Issue: December 01, 1992
Scott # for stamps: 1059 - 1062

Sri Lanka issued this set of four stamps and a souvenir sheet with these four stamps to commemorate the 500th anniversary of Columbus' first voyage and discovery of America.

The cachet shows portrait of Columbus and his flagship Santa Maria. Each of the stamps depict events in chronological order.

1.00 - Aug 1492 - The voyage begins
11.00 - Oct 1492 - First landing in the Americas
13.00 - Dec 1492 - Santa Maria is wrecked
15.00 - Apr 1493 - Return to Spain