Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne appointed new Navy Commander

Rear Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne has been appointed as the 24th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa today (15). Accordingly, former Commander of the Navy Admiral Piyal De Silva made the customarily handed over the Commander's sword and officially handed over duties of the position to the new Commander at the Naval Headquarters this morning. Meanwhile, new Commander of the Navy was accorded with a guard of honour.

Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne is a of Royal College, Colombo. He joined the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet of the 13^th Intake in 1985 and underwent basic naval training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee. Upon successful completion of training, he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant on 07^th January 1987. After being steadily elevated to subsequent ranks in the Navy over the years, he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral on 01^st June 2015. Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne specialized in the field of Gunnery and Missiles and was a key member of the pioneering team that introduced missiles to the Navy Fleet. He also held many sea as well as shore appointments alike during his illustrious career spanning over 35 years, the Sri Lanka Navy stated. 

He was also the Director Naval Intelligence for more than three consecutive years after the humanitarian operation, during which human smuggling by sea had been completely brought to a halt. His other shore assignments include Director Naval Weapons, Deputy Area Commander (North), Director General (Services), and Commander Southern Naval Area, Commander Western Naval Area, Commandant Volunteer Naval Force and Deputy Chief of Staff prior being appointed as Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Navy on 23^rd May 2019.

Vice Admiral Ulugetenne holds three Master Degrees from King's College London, University of Wollongong, Australia and University of Madras, India. 

He has also been awarded with Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for his act of bravery in the face of enemy twice and Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV) and Uththama Seva Padakkama (USP) for his exemplary conduct exhibited in his distinguished naval career. Vice Admiral Ulugetenne has also been decorated with the Deshaputhra Medal for sustaining injuries while on active duty and draped with a bunch of service medals in recognition of his contribution to the motherland. He has also contributed immensely to the Navy by leading young blooded naval athletes, as the chairman of athletics pool.

 He assumed duties this morning after observing religious rituals, in a ceremony attended by his wife Chandima and daughter Samadinie. Director Generals of the Navy, Area Commanders, Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Fleet, Heads of Departments and a host of senior officers were also present on the occasion.