Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA) Receives ISO 9001:2000
Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA) of the Sri Lanka
Navy, located in the scenic harbour in Trincomalee, the panoramic port
city in the eastern coast of the island, has now reached the standard of
par excellence being awarded the prestigious ISO (International
Standards Organization) 9001:2000 quality management system
certification from the Sri Lanka Standard Institutions, today- the 07th
March 2008. The event takes place in a charming but proud ceremony held
at the Academy today.
Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Wasantha
Karannagoda, sending a felicitation message to the Naval and Maritime
Academy, states that "We are extremely proud that the NMA is the first
defence institutions in the country to achieve this international
recognition". The chairman of the Sri Lanka Standard Institution, Dr.
ARL Wijesekara, in his felicitation message, while complimenting the
esteemed standard it received, states "This prestigious certification
award you have received, will undoubtedly, equip the academy to produce
professionals of the highest calibre". The Vice Chancellor of the
University of Kelaniya, to which the cadet entry officer training
programmes and courses are accredited, Professor MJS Wijerathne, dares
to state in his message that they are proud to be associated with an
institution of this high calibre and be able to contribute towards the
academic and professional development of the officers of the Sri Lanka
Navy.
Naval and Maritime Academy, the premiere seat for
naval training and learning, first established on 15th January 1967,
commissioned on 15th July 1967 with Instructor Commander MGS Perera as
its first commandant has created history, unfolding new chapter of the
Sri Lanka Navy today, by training almost all the officer cadre
irrespective of the entry, the bulk of the sailors advanced training
courses and also sometimes recruit training. It has also been awarded
the President's Colours on 13th December 2003 by the then Her Excellency
the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in
recognition of the service it had rendered by training heroic officers
and sailors whose tireless dedication and fearless devotion and
sacrifice have immensely contributed for the integrity and the defence
of the motherland. Naval and Maritime Academy has had 26 officers as its
commandants since its very inception, some of whom were elevated to be
the Commanders of the Navy, and the present Commander of the Navy too
was once the commandant at NMA from 21-12- 1992 to 13-08- 1993. The
incumbent commandant is Commodore TJL Sinniah.
Award of ISO 9001:2000 is a historical landmark in the
40 year old journey of the Naval and Maritime Academy as it has reached
par excellence-the most impressive one being that it is the first
military training installation in the country to receive this quality
management certification. "Quality Management" as has been defined "is
an organizational strategy and a method of management, which involves
all employees and seeks to improve continuously the efficacy of an
organization regarding customer satisfaction".
Commodore TJL Sinniah, the Commandant, has been so
humble that he sends his "deep appreciation" to Commander of the Navy
for the unwavering assistance extended and his "illustrious
predecessors", directing staffs, key members of the staffs and all the
members of the staffs past and present for the immense and valuable
contribution they all made in achieving this standard; and also he hopes
that the NMA could afford to maintain it in future as well, under any
circumstance and in whatever the contingency it faces.
Yet, the naval Maritime Academy, in its usual mediocre
and humble but in unvanquished courageous tone, confesses
"For the naval and Maritime Academy, 'a Quality
Management System" is of immense value. Our products serve very hard
task master-the sea and dabble in the business of war where there no
runners up. Naturally, the stakes are very high and non standard product
can spell doom making the difference of life and death. There are no
opportunities to recycle wasted products and training loss is a loss for
ever. Therefore carefully calibrated process assured by a good 'Quality
Management System' at the Naval and Maritime Academy will go a long way
in achieving our national objectives."
Courtesy : Sri Lanka Navy
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