3rd Month Remembrance
Admiral A.W.H. Perera VSV
(Commander of the Navy 01-06-1979 to 31-05-1983)
February 15th marks the 3rd month of passing away of Admiral Alfred
William Henry Perera, who had an inspiring naval life, distinguished by
noble ideals. In July 1951, he joined the Royal Ceylon Navy as a
Sub-Lieutenant and was absorbed into the Sri Lanka Navy, upon Ceylon
becoming a Republic. He rendered an invaluable service to the motherland
as an exemplary naval officer and also as a distinguished Diplomat.
Admiral Perera graduated as a naval officer in 1953, from the Royal
Naval College Greenwich, United Kingdom and specialized in Gunnery on
board HMS Excellent in UK in 1954. He followed the Staff Course at the
Defence Services Staff College in Wellington India in 1964 and in 1976
attended the National Defence College in New Delhi. He emerged as a
highly competent naval officer capable of meeting any challenge ashore
as well at sea, in times of war and in peace. In the field of sports he
excelled in Rugby and served as the Chairman of the Naval Sports Board
as well as the Chairman Defence Services Sports Board.
Admiral Perera, to his credit possess 32 years of distinguished naval
service, consisting of assignments both at sea and ashore. He was in
command of several ocean going naval vessels and commanded practically
every naval establishment in the North, East and West of Sri Lanka. In
1979 on assuming the duties of high office as Commander of the Navy, he
realized the importance of forming an effective naval fighting force, to
meet all challenges and embarked on a journey of re-structuring the navy
to a strong disciplined Force. He encouraged professionalism and
instilled honesty and discipline in his subordinates, which resulted in
the Sri Lanka Navy rising to its pinnacle, during his command.
Whilst being a veteran Navigator, the Admiral was also an effective
administrator, who extended his services to the civil sector, whenever
the need arose. In 1962, he was appointed as a member of the United
Nations Military Observers Team in Papua New Guinea. This was a unique
achievement for a naval officer at that time and he proved that naval
officers are not only seafarers but also effective field officers, even
on foreign soil. In 1972, when the motherland was in disarray due to
insurrection, he was assigned as the co-ordinating officer of
Polonnaruwa District and the active role he played in assisting the
maintenance of law and order in the District was much appreciated by the
General Public.
On his retirement in 1983 as Commander of the Navy, he was appointed
as the Commissioner General Essential Services and in recognition of
these invaluable services he rendered to the country, the then His
Excellency the President appointed him as Sri Lanka High Commissioner to
Kenya, which post he held for four consecutive years. Thus he created
history, by being the first naval officer to be assigned as the High
Commissioner of a foreign country.
He was decorated with Visista Seva Vibushana by His Excellency the
then President of Sri Lanka, in recognition of his unblemished record of
service, honesty and loyalty to the country. His demise is an
irreparable loss to his beloved wife and children, family members,
relatives, friends, the Navy and to the entire nation.
Sir, your memory will be anchored forever in our hearts, as a great
officer par excellence, gentleman in every sense of the word and a true
son of Mother Lanka.
Commodore (Rtd)
M.A. Weerasena VSV |
