Navy’s Chief of Staff retires

Rear Admiral Nandana Thuduwewatte, Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, is retiring from service on May 21, ending a successful career spanning 36 years during which time he held numerous prestigious and important positions throughout the Navy.

Rear Admiral Nandana Thuduwewatte

Having joined the Navy in 1971, Rear Admiral Thuduwewatte rose to the post of Chief of Staff in October 2006. Prior to that, he commanded several key operational areas of the Navy. These included Commander of the Northern Naval Area, Commander of the Western Naval Area and Director of Naval Operations.

He was awarded twelve medals during his career for service, merit and campaigns, including the Rana Soora Padakkama (RSP) twice.

Rear Admiral Thuduwewatte served as Vice Chancellor (Commandant) of the Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy, Sri Lanka’s only defence University, for a period of three years. During this time, he guided the moulding of junior and senior officers of the army, navy and air force in defence study at the Bachelors and Masters degree levels. Earlier, during his career, he served as Commandant of the Sri Lanka Naval Academy in Trincomalee.

He is a specialist navigator and is a graduate of the prestigious national Defence College of India, and holds a Masters degree in Defence Study.

He is an executive committee member of the Natianal Olympic Committee and has participated in the administration of national sports teams at International events such as the 2000 Olympics and the 1998 Asian Games.