Navy welcomes new commander…

Rear Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, upon being promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral, was appointed as the 24th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (15).

Outgoing Commander of the Navy Admiral Piyal De Silva customary handed over the Commander’s sword and officially handed over the duties of the position to the new Navy Chief Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne at the Naval Headquarters this morning. Meanwhile, the new Commander of the Navy was accorded with a guard of honour.

After observing the religious rituals, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne assumed his duties as the new Commander of the Navy. Director Generals of the Navy, Area Commanders, Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Fleet, Heads of Departments and a host of senior officers were also present on the occasion.

Vice Admiral Ulugetenne, who is a proud product of the Royal College in Colombo, enlisted in the Sri Lanka Navy in 1985, as an Officer Cadet in the 13th intake, and underwent basic naval training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee.

After following the Advanced Command Staff Course gaining Post Staff College (Joint), he graduated from the Joint Services Command and Staff College. He subsequently obtained a Masters of Arts in Defence Studies from the King’s College London. He has also acquired a master’s degree in Maritime Policy from the University of Wollongong and an MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras.

Vice Admiral Ulugetenne has been accoladed with Rana Sura Padakkama twice for gallantry and Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya and Uttama Seva Padakkama for meritorious service.

During his naval career spanning since 1985, he has been bestowed with the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, the Sri Lanka Navy 50th Anniversary Medal, the 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, the North and East Operations Medal, the Purna Bhumi Padakkama, the Desha Putra Sammanaya, the Vadamarachchi Operation Medal and the Riviresa Campaign Services Medal.

Vice Admiral has been serving as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy since May 08, 2019.