January 16, Colombo (LNW): President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Anura Kumara Dissanayake has officially appointed Rear Admiral Damian Fernando as the new Chief of Staff.
This appointment is seen as a key moment in the Navy’s leadership transition.
The formal handover of the appointment letter was conducted by the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, on January 15, at the Navy Headquarters in Colombo.
Rear Admiral Fernando, a distinguished officer with a remarkable career in the Sri Lanka Navy, takes up the prestigious position after decades of service. A proud alumnus of St. Joseph Vaz College in Vennappuwa, he began his naval journey in 1991, joining the Navy’s Executive Branch as an Officer Cadet in the 21st intake.
He successfully completed his initial training at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee, and was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant in 1993.
Over the years, Rear Admiral Fernando has accumulated a wealth of experience and expertise in various domains of naval operations.
His professional development has seen him specialise in areas such as Gunnery and Missiles, having received advanced training at INS Dronacharya in India in 2003. His expertise further expanded with a 2010 Engineer course focused on Naval Gun Maintenance in China.
In addition to his technical prowess, Rear Admiral Fernando has honed his strategic knowledge, completing courses at prestigious institutions, including the Royal College of Defence Studies in the United Kingdom and earning advanced degrees, such as a Master of Science in Management (Defence Studies) from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and a Master of Arts in International Security and Strategy from King’s College London.
Over the course of his esteemed career, Rear Admiral Fernando has earned numerous accolades in recognition of his exemplary service. He was awarded the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for his bravery and gallantry in the line of duty and the Uththama Sewa Padakkama (USP) for his unwavering dedication and commitment to his responsibilities.
His exceptional leadership has also been recognised by the Navy, with six Letters of Commendation from Navy Commanders for his outstanding contributions to naval operations.
Rear Admiral Fernando has held a series of significant commands throughout his career, including roles such as Naval Armament Officer, Deputy Director of Naval Weapons, Commander of the 4th Fast Attack Craft Flotilla, and Captain of the Operations Department (West).
His leadership acumen was further demonstrated when he served as Commandant of the Naval and Maritime Academy, Director General of Personnel, and Commander of the North Central Naval Area. Prior to his elevation to Chief of Staff, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Commander of the Eastern Naval Area.
In addition to his naval achievements, Rear Admiral Fernando is well-regarded for his contributions to the sport of cricket, both as a player and captain. He currently chairs the Sri Lanka Navy Cricket Pool, fostering talent and promoting the sport within the naval community.
Meanwhile, the Sri Lanka Navy also announced the appointment of Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe as the Deputy Chief of Staff, effective from December 31, 2024.
