Colombo Lighthouse - Gun Salute

Gun Salute

Located on at its base is a naval gun battery that is used by the Sri Lanka Navy for its traditional gun salutes. By tradition the Navy accords a 25 gun salute to the nation on the National day which is the 4th February each year. It began with HMCyS Vijaya of the Royal Ceylon Navy, the first warship of the navy according a 25 gun salute on February 4, 1951 with its single 4" gun.

In 1952 two 4" guns where brought from the United Kingdom in preparation of the Royal visit of Princess Elizabeth, which did not occur as she return half way due to the death of her father the King. Since then the guns are mounted at the lighthouse and fires the gun salute. Three more 52-mm guns were added in 2000 as gifts from the Indian Navy which now fire the gun salutes.

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