Newly-appointed Navy Commander During First Courtesy Visit to Army HQ Warmly Welcomed

The recently-appointed Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera this morning (28) made his first courtesy call on Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army at the Army Headquarters in Sri Jayawardenepura.

Colonel D.K.R Perera, Commander, Army Headquarters Brigade formally received the new Navy Commander upon his arrival amidst fluttering Army flags before he was greeted with a ceremonial Guard Turnout.

In accordance with military traditions, Major General M.G.W.W.W.M.C.B Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc, Adjutant General of the Sri Lanka Army a few moments later invited the protagonist of the day to review the smartly-dressed Guard of Honour, presented by Sri Lanka Light Infantry troops.

Next, Major General C.D Weerasuriya RWP RSP ndu, Chief of Staff of the Army received the visiting Navy Chief at the entrance to the Army Headquarter building. Major General S.W.M Fernando WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc, Military Secretary at the AHQ afterwards accompanied him to the Commander’s office where Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage extended a warm reception to his Navy counterpart.

Both of them during the cordial discussions that followed admitted the importance of maintaining close relations in the future too as guardians for national security concerns and recalled memories in the past particularly during the height of LTTE terrorism and remembered the bonds of understanding and goodwill that prevails between two forces throughout the years. As the cordial discussions drew to a close, the Army Chief symbolized existing sound working relations by presenting a special memento to the Navy Commander while wishing him all the success in his future endeavours. The gesture was reciprocated.

Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera thanked the Sri Lanka Army for the cordial welcome and left a few notable compliments in the Visitors’ Book at the Commander's office before leaving the premises.

Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera was appointed as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy on December 18, 2022 by Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka.

He joined the Sri Lanka Navy in the Executive Branch in 1987 as an Officer Cadet of the Intake-5 at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University. Upon successful completion of naval training from the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, he was commissioned in the rank of Acting Sub Lieutenant in 1989 and graduated from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree (Defence Studies) with honours.

Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera is a recipient of Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) thrice for his conspicuous display of gallantry in combat and Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) for his unblemished service and devotion to duty. Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera is a proud product of the Royal College, Colombo.