Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, who served as Chief of Staff, received a promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral and now assumes duties as the 27th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made this appointment, with Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake delivering the official letter at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (30). The appointment takes effect on July 1, coinciding with the scheduled retirement of the current Commander, Admiral Kanchana Banagoda.

Damian Fernando, an alumnus of St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa, joined the Sri Lanka Navy executive branch in 1991 as an officer cadet under the 21st intake. Following basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee, he received his commission as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1993.

Throughout a distinguished 35-year naval career, he completed various local and international professional and specialist training courses. In recognition of his exceptional performance, efficiency, and significant contributions, he received the Rana Sura and Uththama Seva medals, along with commendation letters from six different Navy Commanders.