Newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Navy Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera meets Commander of the Navy

The President and Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, effective from 09th July 2022. The newly appointed Chief of Staff of the Navy met with Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne today (12th July) at the Navy Headquarters where Commander of the Navy officially handed over the letter of appointment to Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera and extended him best wishes.

Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera is a proud product of Royal College, Colombo. He joined Si Lanka Navy in the Executive Branch in 1987 as an Officer Cadet of the 05th intake of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. Having successfully completed his basic training from the General Sir John Kotalawala Defence University and Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant in 1989. The senior officer has completed his Sub Lieutenant Technical Course at Naval and Maritime Academy in 1992 and has obtained specialization in Clearance Diving from Indian Naval Diving Training School in 1994. Working his way up the career ladder, he became a Rear Admiral in the Sri Lanka Navy on 15th July 2020.

His career has been enriched with vast experience in the Sri Lanka Navy, in various capacities. Chief among them were; Officer in Command of Fast Attack Craft, Commanding Officer of Ships and Establishments and elite Special Boat Squadron. He also has served in the appointments of 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. Prior to his ascension to the post of Chief of Staff of the Navy, the senior officer served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy.

The senior officer has also been conferred with a Masters in Science Degree (Defence Studies) in Management from General Sir John Kotalawala Defence University. He is an 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 Defence and Strategic Studies Course at National Defence University of People’s Liberation Army, People’s Republic of China in 2018.

He 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 Commander of the Navy seven times for leadership and professional conduct in challenging circumstances and tasks.

Rear Admiral Priyantha Perera is married to Commander Mala Lamahewa and they are blessed with two sons Sachith (24) and Shamal (21).