Navy's new Chief of Staff

COLOMBO: Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara, RWP, USP, ndc, Psc, DISS, MA, M Phil, MRIN, MNI, who has been appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Navy by President Mahinda Rajapaksa on the retirement of Rear Admiral Sarath Rathnakeerthi, USP, ndc, Psc, DISS, MNI assumed duties in his new post yesterday at the Navy Headquarters.

Born on 29th October 1951, Rear Admiral Sarath Weerasekara, studied at Ananda College, Colombo and joined the Sri Lanka Navy as an officer cadet on August 1, 1971. After training, as an officer cadet and a midshipman he was commissioned to the Sri Lanka Navy on August 1, 1975.

He held various positions such as Deputy Chief of Staff, Director General (Operation), Director Naval Projects and Plans, Director Naval Administration and Welfare, Commander Northern Naval Area, Commander Eastern Naval Area, Commander Southern Naval Area, Squadron Commander Fast Attack Craft Flotilla, other than commanding various ships and bases.

Rear Admiral HS Rathnakeerthi, USP, ndc, Psn, DISS, MNI, retired after 35 years of service in the Sri Lanka Navy on July 16.