Top position for Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda
Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy.
The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremesinghe, has appointed Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda as the Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Navy with effect from 16th August 2024.
The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera had formally handed over the letter of appointment in this regard to Rear Admiral Banagoda at the Navy Headquarters yesterday (26) and extended his best wishes, the SLN said.
Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda joined the Sri Lanka Navy in 1989 as an Officer Cadet of the 19th intake, in the Executive branch. On completing his basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant in 1991.
The senior officer completed his Sub Lieutenant Technical Course at the Naval and Maritime Academy in 1993 and specialized in Anti-Submarine Warfare from Indian Naval Ship Venduruthy in 2000. Advancing steadily in his professional journey, the senior officer reached the rank of Rear Admiral on 04th May 2022.
He completed the Staff Course at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Bangladesh, in 2009. He earned a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from the Open University of Sri Lanka in 2015.
Furthermore, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Maritime Policy from the University of Wollongong, Australia, in 2019 and attended the National Defence Course in National Security and Strategic Studies at the National Defence University, Colombo in 2021.
In recognition of his noble service to the motherland, Rear Admiral Banagoda has been bestowed Rana Sura Padakkama for his gallantry. Moreover, he has also been awarded the Uththama Sewa Padakkama (USP), for his unblemished character and devotion to duty.
Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda has had the privilege of commanding various Fast Attack Craft, Ships, and Establishments in the Sri Lanka Navy. He held several other appointments: Director of Naval Training, Commander of the Southeastern Naval Area, Commander of the North Central Naval Area, and Commander of the Northern Naval Area stood prominent.
Before being appointed as Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, he was discharging duties as Commander Eastern Naval Area.