Jayanath Colambage, first Sylverstrian to head the Navy

HAFIZ Marikar

Vice Admiral Jayanath Colambage is the first St. Sylvester's College sportsman to lead the Sri Lanka Navy as the Commander.

Earlier there was another fine sportsmen who led the Sylverstrian first rugger team in 1955 Malcolm Marshal he was number two in the Navy. Jayanath who learnt his rudiments at St. Sylvester's, was a fine athlete, Cadet, junior cricketer and was in the school 2nd Battalion "Ceylon Cadet Corp" Band.

His pet sport was athletics, in which he excelled in 200 and 400 meters. He led the school team from 1974 to 1977 and won colors. While at school he was coached by S.N.G.Bandara. He also won many public school meets events and was awarded colours.

While in the Navy he continued his athletics and was a Defence Services coloursman and also did well in Hockey and Basketball. During his days in the UK and India he took part in athletics. He was the President of the Sri Lanka Navy Athletics Club from 1999 to 2006.

Jayanath was born in 1957 and joined the Sri Lanka Navy in 1978 and graduated from Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, winning the 'Sword of Honor' for being the Best Officer Cadet. He was then selected to follow the International Midshipmen Course in Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, United Kingdom.

Vice Admiral Colaombage is an Alumni of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington in India, Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies, Hawaii, United States of America and Royal College of Defence Studies in United Kingdom.

He holds Master of Science Degree in Defence and Strategic Studies (Indian) and Master of Art in International Studies (London) and also holds Diplomas in Security studies, Conflict Resolution and International Affairs and Information Technology.

Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage has commanded various ships of the Sri Lanka Navy including Fast Missile Vessel, Fast Gun Boats, and Fast Attack Craft and Amphibious ships.

He has been holding many operational area appointments around the country.

He has been the Director General Operations at Naval Headquarters twice and Director General Services too.

He has been involved in basic and higher level officer training since 1985. He was the Director of Naval Training and Personnel in 2004 - 2005. He was the Commandant of Advance Naval Training Centre from 2002 to 2003. He has been a regular lecturer at the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Colombo since its inception.

He is an expert on Maritime Security and has Published Papers and conducted National Level Seminars on Maritime Security and has been certified by the International Maritime Organization as a lecturer on International Conventions on Port and Ship Security. He has presented many papers on Maritime Terrorism related subject in Sri Lanka as well as abroad.

He has also published a book titled 'Naval Terms and Expressions" and actively contributes to various academic forums. Rear Admiral Jayanath Colombage has been decorated for Gallantry and for distinguishes Service.

He has received large number of Commendations from the Commander of the Navy for outstanding performance of duty and exceptional contributions to naval Service.

Jayanath is married to Srima Colombage who is a teacher in IT. We Sylvestrians in Kandy wish him the best of luck.