http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=20110914_01

Record crowds visiting Nagadeepa are facilitated by Navy

www.defence.lk">A large number of pilgrims from every nook and corner of the country utilized the period of last school vacation in the month of August 2011 to visit one of the holiest religious places of Sri Lankan Buddhists, Nagadeepa temple situated in the Nainative island in the Northern peninsula.
This holy place was visited by a staggering number of 1, 95,971 pilgrims during the last month alone, and the mere enormity of the numbers caused a great deal of inconveniences in ferry transportation, sanitation, safety and other facilities as the island with a population of less than 4000 people neither has facilities nor the resources to meet the requirements of such a mammoth crowd.
It is the Navy that came to the aid of these pilgrims, living up to its reputation of being the force that helps the nation at the hour of its need, by systematically organizing the ferry services needed for sea transportation of pilgrims and, thereby, regulating the transport facilities as well as by providing much needed sanitary, welfare and security facilities for them. The Navy has been the lifeline of the people of Nagadeepa and the temple premises by providing them security and essential items even during the trying conditions in the height of the war in last three decades.
The Navy has been instrumental in facilitating and supporting these massive crowds who flowed in their numbers ever since peace dawned in the Northern peninsula prompting their influx in big numbers to visit the place. The Navy will facilitate the pilgrims in the future as well.