Rear Admiral Damian Fernando has been appointed as the 27th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake made the appointment after promoting Rear Admiral Damian Fernando to the rank of Vice Admiral.

The letter of appointment was handed over to him by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat, this afternoon (30).

The appointment will take effect from 1 July. 

The incumbent Commander of the Navy, Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, is due to retire from office on 1 July. 

Vice Admiral Damian Fernando received his education at St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa. He joined the Sri Lanka Navy in 1991 as an Officer Cadet in the Executive Branch under the 21st intake and, having successfully completed his basic naval training at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee, was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1993. 

During a distinguished naval career spanning 35 years, Vice Admiral Fernando has undertaken numerous professional and specialist training programmes both locally and overseas. He has been awarded the Rana Sura and Uttama Seva medals and, in recognition of his professional competence, efficiency and outstanding service has received Letters of Commendation from Commanders of the Sri Lanka Navy on six separate occasions. 

Vice Admiral Fernando holds a Master of Defence Studies degree from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and a Master of Arts degree in International Security and Strategy from King's College London.