Daya Sandagiri promoted to Admiral

President Chandrika Bandaranaike Kumaratunga has promoted Vice Admiral Daya Sandagiri to the Four Star rank of Admiral from September 1 on his retirement as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy. Sandagiri will continue to hold the position of Chief of Defence Staff, the highest military appointment in the Security Council, even after relinquishing duties as the Navy Commander.

Sandagiri will be the first ever Naval officer in Sri Lanka to hold the Four Star rank of Admiral. He is the first Naval officer to hold this position after being appointed in September last year.

Sandagiri rendered a yeoman service as the Navy Commander after holding the position for four years and eight months. He is the longest serving Navy Chief.

He made a determined effort to safeguard Sri Lanka territorial waters by launching Operation Varuna Kirana to prevent smuggling of arms.

The success of this operation was evident following the destruction of two suspected arms smuggling ships in the seas off Mullaitivu.

Sandagiri joined the Royal Ceylon Navy on November 14, 1966 and was commissioned a Sub Lieutenant on July 1, 1973.

Born and bred in Veyangoda, Sandagiri had his education at St. Mary's College Veyangoda and Kegalu Maha Vidyalaya.