News
Navy’s New Chief of Staff assumes duties
View(s):
Sri Lanka Navy’s new Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Sumith Weerasinghe, assumed duties this week.
Rear Admiral Weerasinghe, an old boy of Badulla Central College, joined the Sri Lanka Navy executive branch in 1985 as an Officer Cadet of 13th intake. He completed his basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee and was commissioned as an Acting Sub Lieutenant in May 1987.
He followed the Sub Lieutenant Technical Course in India in 1988 and since then had been gradually promoted to subsequent ranks in his naval career, finally being elevated to the rank of Rear Admiral on October 16, 2016.
He has commanded Fast Attack Craft as well as Sri Lanka Naval Ships such as Jayasagara and Sayurala. Apart from that, among the prominent appointments he held were: Director Naval Welfare, Commandant SLNS Nipuna, Deputy Area Commander Southern and Northern Naval Areas, Director Naval Personnel, Commander Southeastern and Eastern Naval Commands, Director General Services and Commandant Volunteer Naval Force. He also served as Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander Western Naval Area.
He followed advanced courses in India, the United States and Bangladesh and has specialised in Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) at INS Venduruthy in Kochi, India. He is an alumnus of Bangladesh University of Professionals from which he was conferred the Master’s Degree in Strategy and Development Studies.
He has been awarded a several medals including ‘Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya’ for distinguished service, ‘Uttama Seva Padakkama’ for valuable service and dedication to duty.