(LANKAPUVATH | COLOMBO) – President Ranil Wickremesinghe in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, promoted Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera to the rank of Vice Admiral and appointed him as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy effective from 18th December 2022.
He was appointed as the Navy Commander following the retirement of former Navy Commander Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne after 37 years of service. Prior to this appointment he was the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy.
Former Navy Commander Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, in a symbolic gesture, presented the Commander’s Sword and officially handed over the duties of the Command to the incoming Commander of the Navy at the Navy Headquarters this morning (18th December).
The newly appointed Commander of the Navy was accorded a Guard of Honor in accordance with naval traditions, at the Navy Headquarters.
Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera is an alumnus of the Royal College, Colombo. He joined the Si Lanka Navy in the Executive Branch in 1987 as an Officer Cadet of the 05th intake of General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University.
Having successfully completed his basic training from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee he was commissioned in the rank of Sub Lieutenant in 1989. The senior officer completed his Sub Lieutenant Technical Course at the Naval and Maritime Academy in 1992 and gained specialization in Clearance Diving from Indian Naval Diving Training School in 1994. Since then, Priyantha Perera has been promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on July 15, 2020, and to the rank of Vice Admiral today.
During his service, he has held many different positions in the Sri Lanka Navy. He has commanded a number of Fast Attack Craft, Ships and Establishments and had served as the Commanding Officer of the elite Special Boat Squadron (SBS).
He has also served as the Director Naval Training, Head of Naval Research Wing, Deputy Are Commander North Central Naval Area, Director Marine Special Forces, Director Naval Operations, Director Naval Foreign Cooperation, Director Naval Maritime Surveillance, Commander Southern and Northern Naval Areas.
The senior officer has also been conferred with a Masters in Science Degree (Defense Studies) in Management from General Sir John Kotelawala Defense University. He is a distinguished alumnus of US Naval War College, Rhode Island U.S. at where he has passed the US Naval Staff Course in 2004. He also holds a Master’s Degree of Maritime Policy with Distinctions from University of Wollongong, Australia in 2012 and attended the Defense and Strategic Studies Course at National Defense University of People’s Liberation Army, People’s Republic of China in 2018.
Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera is a recipient of Rana Soora Padakkama (RSP) thrice for conspicuous display of gallantry in combat and Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) for unblemished character. The senior officer has been commended by former Commanders of the Navy seven times for his leadership and professional conduct in challenging circumstances and tasks.
