New Navy Chief of Staff

THE President has appointed Rear Admiral Sarath Ratnakeerthi, USP, ndc, psn as the new Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy. Rear Admiral Ratnakeerthi joined the Sri Lanka Navy as a Cadet Officer on 1st August 1971 and was commissioned on 1st August 1975.

Rear Admiral Ratnakeerthi has the unique distinction of serving as the Area Commander of all five Naval Commands of the Sri Lanka Navy, viz, Eastern Naval Command, North Central Naval Command, Western Naval Command and Southern Naval Command.

He has served as the Commanding Officer of the Naval Establishments, SLNS 'Ruhuna', SLNS 'Tissa', SLNS 'Gemunu' and also commanded Naval Ships, SLNS 'Weeraya', SLNS 'Rakshaka', SLNS 'Jayasagara' and SLNS 'Edithara'.

In addition, he has served as Master of the Motor Tanker, "Maduruoya" as well as on-board Merchant Vessel 'Lanka Kanthi'.

He is the recipient of the Utthama Seva Padakkama, Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal, Sri Lanka Navy 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, President's Inauguration Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, North and East Operations Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama and Riviresa Campaign Service Medal in recognition of his invaluable services to the country.

Rear Admiral Ratnakeerthi is a product of Nalanda College and Ananda College. He had excelled in both Football and Cricket whilst in College apart from being a member of the College Cadet Platoon.