New Chief of Staff for SL Navy

Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda has been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, effective August 16, 2024, by President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ranil Wickremesinghe.

The formal appointment letter was presented to him by Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera on Monday (26) at Navy Headquarters.

Joining the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet in 1989, Rear Admiral Banagoda has steadily advanced in his career. He was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant in 1991 after completing basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee and was specialized in Anti-Submarine Warfare in 2000 and reached the rank of Rear Admiral on May 4, 2022.

Rear Admiral Banagoda holds a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from the Open University of Sri Lanka (2015) and a Master’s Degree in Maritime Policy from the University of Wollongong, Australia (2019). He also completed the National Defence Course in National Security and Strategic Studies at the National Defence University, Colombo in 2021.

Recognized for his gallantry and dedication, he has been awarded the Rana Sura Padakkama and Uththama Sewa Padakkama. 

Throughout his career, Rear Admiral Banagoda has commanded various Fast Attack Craft, Ships, and Establishments within the Sri Lanka Navy.

Notably, he has served as Director of Naval Training and held command positions in the Southeastern, North Central, Northern, and Eastern Naval Areas before his current appointment as Chief of Staff.