Vice Admiral Damian Fernando officially assumed duties today (01) as the 27th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, following his appointment by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
President Dissanayake appointed Vice Admiral Fernando to the post yesterday after promoting him from the rank of Rear Admiral. His letter of appointment was presented by Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat.
Before assuming command of the Navy, Vice Admiral Fernando served as the Chief of Staff from December 31, 2024.
An alumnus of St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa, Vice Admiral Fernando joined the Sri Lanka Navy in 1991 as an Officer Cadet of the Executive Branch under the 21st intake. After completing his naval training at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee, he was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1993.
Over a naval career spanning 35 years, he has completed a range of professional and specialist training programmes in Sri Lanka and overseas. He is a recipient of the Rana Sura Medal and Uttama Seva Medal and has received six Letters of Commendation from successive Navy Commanders in recognition of his distinguished service and professional excellence.
Vice Admiral Fernando also holds a Master of Defence Studies degree from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and a Master of Arts in International Security and Strategy from King’s College London.
