New Navy Chief on Courtesy Call at Army Headquarters

The newly-appointed Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera RWP VSV USP ndc psc MSc (DS) MSc (D&SS), paid a courtesy call on his Army counterpart, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake at the Army Headquarters Thursday (3) morning.
 
A formal Guard Turnout and a Guard of Honour, presented by troops of the Sri Lanka Artillery at the Army Headquarters premises greeted the guest who inspected the parade.  He was received by Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Adjutant General on arrival.   
 
Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake after extending a warm welcome to the new Navy Chief afterwards at the main entrance to the Commander’s Secretariat, introduced his Principal Staff Officers to the guest.
 
During the brief meeting with the Commander of the Army, they exchanged views on general matters of importance to both services and how cooperation between both organizations can further be promoted.
 
Extending best wishes on his new appointment, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake awarded a memento to the new Navy Commander visiting him. The gesture was reciprocated. Before his exit from the Commander’s office, Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera placed his signature in the VIP visitors’ book as a symbol of memory.
 
Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera is the 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy in its illustrious history which spans over a period of 63 years. Prior to being appointed as the Navy Commander, he held the post of Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy.
 
Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera joined the Sri Lanka Navy on 23rd August 1978 and underwent his basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee. He is a Gunnery specialist trained at the Gunnery School Kochi in India. He followed his Naval Staff Course in India and National Defence Course at the National Defence University of Islamabad, Pakistan. He holds Master of Science degrees in Defence Studies and Defence & Strategic Studies from the University of Madras, India and the National Defence University of Islamabad, Pakistan. He has also followed an International Disaster Management Course & Workshop in the United Kingdom in May 2005 and the Combined Force Maritime Component Commander Course conducted by the United States Naval War College, Pearl Harbour, Hawaii in February 2012.
 
Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera has had the privilege of commanding various ships in the Sri Lanka Navy, including the Sri Lanka Navy Flag Ship SLNS Sayura (Commissioning Commanding Officer from the Indian Navy), Fast Gun Boats and Landing Craft. He has served as the Commander Western Naval Area in 2008, Commander Southern Naval Area in 2007 and Deputy Area Commander Eastern Naval Area during the humanitarian operation in 2006. He has held many important staff appointments, which include Director General Operations, Director General Services, Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Fleet, Director Naval Operations & Special Force, Director Naval Weapon, Deputy Director Naval Intelligence, Deputy Director Naval Training, Media Spokesman of the Sri Lanka Navy and Principal Staff Officer to the Chief of Defence Staff.
 
Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera is a recipient of the Rana Wickrama Padakkama for gallantry. He has also been recognized with much appreciation for his exemplary and distinguished service and has received many commendations from several Commanders of the Navy for his outstanding performance of duty, hard work, dedication, exceptional contribution and loyalty to the naval service.
 
Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera is married to Mrs. Shalika Perera, has always been a pillar of strength supporting her husband at every step to steer steadily his naval career. Having served as the Vice President of the Navy Seva Vanitha from October 2012 to June 2014, Mrs. Shalika Perera is also one of the longest serving members of the Navy Seva Vanitha Unit and took over duties as the President, Seva Vanitha with the appointment of Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy. Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera and Mrs. Shalika Perera are also blessed with twin daughters, Ranithri Perera and Ranali Perera. They obtained their basic degree in Business Management from the University of Bangalore, India and pursued their MBA in International Trade and Logistic at the Post Graduate Institute of Management, affiliated to the University of Sri Jayawardenapura, Sri Lanka and the University of Canberra, Australia.
 
Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera as a distinguished past pupil of Thurstan College, Colombo has brought great pride and honour to his Alma Mater as a student leader. Considering service before self, during his school career he has accomplished many tasks and has excelled in many areas as a Head Prefect, Rugby Captain, School Cadetting Sergeant and a Sergeant Major.