Navy has to play pivotal role to achieve country’s goals - New Commander

Ridma Dissanayake and Sandasen Marasinghe

Sri Lanka has to achieve many goals to become a developed country, having become truly independent after three decades of war. The Navy has to play a vital role in the country’s journey towards development, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage said on assuming duties as Sri Lanka’s 18th Navy Commander.

“President Mahinda Rajapaksa wishes to make Sri Lanka the Wonder of Asia and he also hopes to make Sri Lanka the Maritime Hub of Asia as well. As a victorious Navy we have to face many challenges to make Sri Lanka the Maritime Hub of Asia as we did in the sea to make our country free from terrorists.”,Vice Admiral Colombage said.

He was addressing the media,yesterday after assumed duties as the 18th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy succeeding Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake.

The Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa appointed Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and promoted him to three star rank of a Vice Admiral from the rank of Rear Admiral with effect from yesterday. He is the 18th Naval Officer to reach the helm in the 61 year history of the Naval Service.

Colombage is only the second officer to be considered for the highest post the Commander of the Navy straight from an Operational Naval Command. Until Wednesday he served as the Commander of Eastern Naval Area at the historical Naval Dockyard in Trincomalee.