Navy Commander Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda has been promoted to the rank of Admiral, marking a significant milestone in his distinguished career.

An alumnus of St. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela, Admiral Banagoda joined the Executive Branch of the Sri Lanka Navy in 1989 as an officer cadet of the 19th intake. Commissioned as a Sub‑Lieutenant in 1991, he later completed advanced training in navigation and direction at the Indian Navy’s INS Vendurthi Naval School in 2000.

Elevated to Rear Admiral in May 2022, he has since completed the Command and Staff Course in Bangladesh, earned an MBA in Human Resource Management from the Open University of Sri Lanka, and a Master’s in Maritime Policy from the University of Wollongong, Australia. He also undertook the National Defence and Strategic Studies Course at the National Defence College, Colombo, in 2021.

Admiral Banagoda actively contributed to counter‑terrorism operations for nearly three decades, earning the Rana Sura Padakkama for gallantry and the Uttama Seva Padakkama for distinguished service. Over his career, he has held numerous command positions, including Fast Attack Craft patrols and leadership of several naval ships and establishments. (Newswire)

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Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda assumed duties as the 26th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy at the Navy Headquarters today (Dec 31).

Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake yesterday handed over the official appointment letter of Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda. 

Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda replaces Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera who completed his service extension.

The new Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda served as the Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Navy since August 2024.

Prior to being appointed as Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, he was discharging duties as Commander Eastern Naval Area. (Newswire)

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Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda has been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy.

The appointment with effect from 16th August 2024, was made by President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka. 

According to the Sri Lanka Navy, the Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera formally handed over the letter of appointment in this regard to Rear Admiral Banagoda at the Navy Headquarters yesterday.

Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda is a distinguished old boy of S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela. He joined the Sri Lanka Navy in 1989 as an Officer Cadet of 19th intake, in the Executive branch. On successful completion of his basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant in 1991. The senior officer completed his Sub Lieutenant Technical Course at the Naval and Maritime Academy in 1993 and specialized in Anti-Submarine Warfare from Indian Naval Ship Venduruthy in 2000. Advancing steadily in his professional journey, the senior officer reached the rank of Rear Admiral on 04th May 2022.

He completed the Staff Course at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Bangladesh in 2009 and earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Human Resource Management from the Open University of Sri Lanka in 2015. Furthermore, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Maritime Policy from the University of Wollongong, Australia, in 2019 and attended the National Defence Course in National Security and Strategic Studies at the National Defence University, Colombo in 2021.

In recognition of his noble service rendered to the nation, Rear Admiral Banagoda has been bestowed Rana Sura Padakkama for his gallantry. Moreover, he has also been awarded the Uththama Sewa Padakkama (USP), for his unblemished character and devotion to duty.

Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda has had the privilege of commanding various Fast Attack Craft, Ships and Establishments in the Sri Lanka Navy. Among some of the other appointments he held; Director Naval Training, Commander Southeastern Naval Area, Commander North Central Naval Area and Commander Northern Naval Area stood prominent. Prior to being appointed as Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, he was discharging duties as Commander Eastern Naval Area. (Newswire)

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