Rear Admiral Jagath Ranasinghe assumes duties as Chief of Staff of the Navy
 

Rear Admiral Jagath Ranasinghe was appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy with effect from 1st January 2019, by the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena. Accordingly, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva presented the Letter of Appointment of the new position to Rear Admiral Ranasinghe and congratulated him on his new appointment.

Subsequently, the newly appointed Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Jagath Ranasinghe assumed duties of the position following a brief ceremony with religious rituals, held at the Chief of Staff office in Naval Headquarters, on 3rd January 2019.

Rear Admiral Jagath Ranasinghe is a brilliant old boy of Ananda College, Colombo. He joined the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet of the 12th intake in the Executive branch in 1984. On successful completion of training he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant on 11th February 1986 and followed the Sub Lieutenant Technical course in 1986 in Pakistan. With the consequent promotions he was elevated to the rank of Rear Admiral on 04th October 2014.

During his distinguished career, he had held sea command of Fast Attack Craft, Landing Craft, Fast Gun Boat and Offshore Patrol Vessel of the Navy. He had also held the appointments of Deputy Director Naval Personnel, Training Captain of Naval & Maritime Academy, Director Naval Training, Deputy Area Commander North Western Naval Area, Area Commander Southern Naval Area and Rear Admiral Jagath Ranasinghe held the appointment of Deputy Chief of Staff prior to his new position.

He has been holding the prestigious appointment of Vice Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) since 18th February 2016. During his tenure, KDU has been developed further upgrading its standards to be considered as a prominent university in both local and international contexts assisting the government’s vision to make Sri Lanka become the centre of higher education in Asia. Moreover, Rear Admiral Jagath Ranasinghe directs his focus not only towards the benefit of KDU, but the nation as a whole. He did a great service by shouldering the national responsibility by absorbing the ‘SAITM’ students to KDU by providing a permanent solution to end the ‘SAITM’ crisis.

Further, Rear Admiral Jagath Ranasinghe has studied for higher naval training programmes in Pakistan, India, United States, Australia and Bangladesh on several occasions. He has completed Anti-Submarine and Underwater Sound Specialization Course (Indian Navy ASW School, Cochin, India), Senior Officers’ Amphibious Planning Course, San–Diego, USA, Master’s degree in Maritime Law and Policy from Wollongong University, Australia. Moreover, the officer has obtained a Master’s degree in Management from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and also a Postgraduate Diploma in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Colombo and United Nation’s Peace University with a merit pass.

Since 1986, the officer had actively participated in sea and land operations during the cause of defeating the terrorism. In recognition of his act of gallantry, he has been awarded the Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya Medal, Uttama Seva Padakkama along with Poorna Bhumi Padakkama, Sri Lanka Armed Service Long Service Medal, North and East Operations Medal, Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, Sri Lanka Navy 50thAnniversary Medal and North and East Humanitarian Medals. Further, in reward of his commitment and guidance of his men, Rear Admiral Ranasinghe has been commended with Letter of Appreciation on five times by the Commander of the Navy.

Mrs. Champa De Alwis is his beloved wife and they are blessed with two daughters and a son.