Rear Admiral Nishantha Peiris appointed as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy

Rear Admiral Nishantha Peiris has been appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy effective from 11th October 2024. The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera formally handed over the letter of appointment to Rear Admiral Nishantha Peiris at the Navy Headquarters today (14th October) and expressed his best wishes to the newly appointed Deputy Chief of Staff.

Rear Admiral Nishantha Peiris is a proud product of St. Sylvester's College, Kandy. He joined the Executive Branch of the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet of the 8th intake of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) in 1990. After successful completion of his basic naval training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee he was commissioned in the rank of Sub Lieutenant in 1992. He completed his Sub Lieutenant Technical Course from the Naval and Maritime Academy in 1995 and received his specialization in Gunnery from INS Dronacharya, India in 2001. In addition, he completed the Staff Course at Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda in 2010 and pursued National Defence Course from National Defence College, Bangladesh in 2020. The senior officer holds a Master’s in Security Studies from the University of Kelaniya and a Master of social science in Security and Development from the Bangladesh University of Professionals, Dhaka. Progressing steadily in his naval career, the senior officer was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on 13th November 2022.

During his distinguished naval career, Rear Admiral Nishantha Peiris has held a range of commanding roles onboard Fast Attack Craft, ships and at establishments across the country. Among some of the other key appointments he held; Senior Staff Officer (Recruiting), Deputy Training Commander & Coordinator Junior Naval Staff Course, Head of Training Team at Defence Services Command and Staff College, Director Naval Operations, Director Marine Special Forces, Director Naval Foreign Cooperation & Director Naval Maritime Surveillance, Deputy Area Commander Southern Naval Area and Commander Northwestern Naval Area stood prominent.

Meanwhile, the senior officer will discharge duties as Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy, concurrently holding the appointment of Director General Operations.