(COLOMBO, LANKAPUVATH) –His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, has been pleased to appointVice Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe as the 22nd Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and promote him to the 3-star rank of Vice Admiral with effect from 26 October 2017.
In a symbolic gesture of handing over command, the outgoing Commander of the Navy, Admiral Travis Sinniah presented the incoming Navy Chief the Admiral’s Sword at a function held at the Naval Headquarters this morning. Vice Admiral Ranasinghe was accorded a Guard of Honour upon his official arrival, having taken over command as the new Commander of the Navy.
Thereafter, he assumed duties in his new appointment amidst religious blessings. His beloved wife Mrs. Sandya Ranasinghe, daughter Supuni Ranasinghe as well as the Director Generals of the Navy, Area Commanders, Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Fleet, Departmental Heads and a host of senior naval officers were also present on the occasion to convey their best wishes to the new Navy Commander.
Vice Admiral Sirimevan Sarathchandra Ranasinghe is a product of the St. Joseph’s College and Central College in Anuradhapura. He joined the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet of the 11th Intake on 15th November 1982 and underwent his basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, where he was adjudged the best cadet and selected for the International Midshipmen Course (1984-1985) at the Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, England. As a result of the exceptional performance exhibited at Dartmouth, he rose to the top among rest of the foreign cadets during his training.
Prior to his appointment as the 22nd Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Ranasinghe held the post of the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy.
