Ravindra Wijegunaratne: Difference between revisions

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{{short description|Sri Lankan admiral}}
{{short description|Sri Lankan admiral}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [[Admiral]]
| honorific_prefix = [[Admiral]]
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| allegiance    = [[Sri Lanka]]
| allegiance    = [[Sri Lanka]]
| rank          = [[Admiral]]
| rank          = [[Admiral]]
| servicenumber = NRX0176<ref name="chart">{{cite news|title=Travis Sinniah to have shortest tenure?|url=http://www.srilankamirror.com/news/5106-travis-sinniah-to-have-shortest-tenure|accessdate=25 October 2017|agency=Sri Lanka Mirror|publisher=srilankamirror.com|date=29 September 2022}}</ref>
| servicenumber = NRX0176<ref name="chart">{{cite news|title=Travis Sinniah to have shortest tenure?|url=http://www.srilankamirror.com/news/5106-travis-sinniah-to-have-shortest-tenure|accessdate=25 October 2017|agency=Sri Lanka Mirror|publisher=srilankamirror.com|date=29 September 2017}}</ref>
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1962|02|22}}<ref name="chart"/>
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1962|02|22}}<ref name="chart"/>
| branch        = [[File:Naval Ensign of Sri Lanka.svg|25px]] [[Sri Lanka Navy]]
| branch        = [[File:Naval Ensign of Sri Lanka.svg|25px]] [[Sri Lanka Navy]]
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[[File:Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson talks with the Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy, Vice Adm. Ravindra Wijegunaratne, during the welcoming ceremonies of India's International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016.JPG|thumb|300px|[[John M. Richardson (admiral)|John Richardson]] and Ravindra Wijegunaratne]]
[[File:Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson talks with the Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy, Vice Adm. Ravindra Wijegunaratne, during the welcoming ceremonies of India's International Fleet Review (IFR) 2016.JPG|thumb|300px|[[John M. Richardson (admiral)|John Richardson]] and Ravindra Wijegunaratne]]


[[Admiral]]  '''Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne''', [[Weerodara Vibhushanaya|WV]], [[Rana Wickrama Padakkama|RWP & Bar]], [[Rana Sura Padakkama|RSP]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]], [[Nishan-e-Imtiaz|NI(M)]], [[Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies|ndc]], [[Psc (Military)#Sri Lanka|psn]],  is a retired Sri Lankan naval officer, and former [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Sri Lanka)|Chief of Defence Staff]] of the [[Sri Lanka Armed Forces]].<ref name="CDS">{{cite news|title=Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne appointed new Chief of Defence Staff|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/08/18/local/125617/vice-admiral-ravindra-wijegunaratne-appointed-new-chief-defence-staff|accessdate=18 August 2017|agency=Daily News Sri Lanka|publisher=Daily News Sri Lanka}}</ref> He  has also served as the [[Commander of the Navy (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy]], [[Chief of Staff]] of the [[Sri Lanka Navy]], the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and held, at various times, four of the seven Naval Commands of the [[Sri Lanka Navy|SLN]].<ref>[http://navy.lk/eventnews/2015/07/11/201507111430/ Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne assumes duties as the 20th Commander of the Navy]</ref><ref>[http://www.navy.lk/201407111700.html Rear Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy]</ref><ref>[http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12B/Jan08_1357668762CH.php New Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guard assumes duties]</ref><ref name= "SLN_Commander_page">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.lk/en/cofn-biography-en.html|title=Commander of the Navy|website=Navy.lk|accessdate=24 July 2022}}</ref> Wijegunaratne has also served as Director Naval Operations, and is a recipient of the [[Weerodara Vibhushanaya]].<ref>[http://www.navy.lk/index.php?id=949 Two Intakes of Sailors pass out at SLNS Nipuna] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103005252/http://www.navy.lk/index.php?id=949 |date=2011-11-03 }}</ref>
[[Admiral]]  '''Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne''', [[Weerodara Vibhushanaya|WV]], [[Rana Wickrama Padakkama|RWP & Bar]], [[Rana Sura Padakkama|RSP]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]], [[Nishan-e-Imtiaz|NI(M)]], [[Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies|ndc]], [[Psc (Military)#Sri Lanka|psn]],  is a retired Sri Lankan naval officer, and former [[Chief of the Defence Staff (Sri Lanka)|Chief of Defence Staff]] of the [[Sri Lanka Armed Forces]].<ref name="CDS">{{cite news|title=Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne appointed new Chief of Defence Staff|url=http://www.dailynews.lk/2017/08/18/local/125617/vice-admiral-ravindra-wijegunaratne-appointed-new-chief-defence-staff|accessdate=18 August 2017|agency=Daily News Sri Lanka|publisher=Daily News Sri Lanka}}</ref> He  has also served as the [[Commander of the Navy (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy]], [[Chief of Staff]] of the [[Sri Lanka Navy]], the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and held, at various times, four of the seven Naval Commands of the [[Sri Lanka Navy|SLN]].<ref>[http://navy.lk/eventnews/2015/07/11/201507111430/ Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne assumes duties as the 20th Commander of the Navy]</ref><ref>[http://www.navy.lk/201407111700.html Rear Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy]</ref><ref>[http://www.colombopage.com/archive_12B/Jan08_1357668762CH.php New Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guard assumes duties]</ref><ref name= "SLN_Commander_page">{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.lk/en/cofn-biography-en.html|title=Commander of the Navy|website=Navy.lk|accessdate=24 July 2017}}</ref> Wijegunaratne has also served as Director Naval Operations, and is a recipient of the [[Weerodara Vibhushanaya]].<ref>[http://www.navy.lk/index.php?id=949 Two Intakes of Sailors pass out at SLNS Nipuna] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103005252/http://www.navy.lk/index.php?id=949 |date=2011-11-03 }}</ref>


==Education==
==Education==
Born in 1962, Wijegunaratne was educated at the [[Royal College, Colombo]] from 1969.<ref name= "defencelk">{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Vice_Admiral_Ravindra_Wijegunaratne_assumes_duties_as_the_20th_Commander_of_the_Nav_20150711_01|title=Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne assumes duties as the 20th Commander of the Navy|website=Defence.lk|accessdate=24 July 2022}}</ref><ref name= "Royalcollege">{{cite web|url=http://royalcollege.lk/2016/05/vice-admiral-ravindra-wijegunaratne-20th-commander-of-the-sri-lanka-navy/|title=Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne – 20th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy|website=royalcollege.lk|date=4 May 2016 |accessdate=24 July 2022}}</ref> At Royal College, he was a [[Sri Lanka Scout Association|President's Scout]], [[Lance sergeant]] of the Herman Loos Cadet Platoon and a School Prefect in addition to representing the school in both hockey and basketball, as well as being an All-Island Junior Athletics Champion.<ref name= "Royalcollege" /> He was the fourth Royalist to be appointed Commander of the SLN.<ref name= "Royalcollege" />
Born in 1962, Wijegunaratne was educated at the [[Royal College, Colombo]] from 1969.<ref name= "defencelk">{{cite web|url=http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Vice_Admiral_Ravindra_Wijegunaratne_assumes_duties_as_the_20th_Commander_of_the_Nav_20150711_01|title=Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne assumes duties as the 20th Commander of the Navy|website=Defence.lk|accessdate=24 July 2017}}</ref><ref name= "Royalcollege">{{cite web|url=http://royalcollege.lk/2016/05/vice-admiral-ravindra-wijegunaratne-20th-commander-of-the-sri-lanka-navy/|title=Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne – 20th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy|website=royalcollege.lk|date=4 May 2016 |accessdate=24 July 2017}}</ref> At Royal College, he was a [[Sri Lanka Scout Association|President's Scout]], [[Lance sergeant]] of the Herman Loos Cadet Platoon and a School Prefect in addition to representing the school in both hockey and basketball, as well as being an All-Island Junior Athletics Champion.<ref name= "Royalcollege" /> He was the fourth Royalist to be appointed Commander of the SLN.<ref name= "Royalcollege" />


Graduating in the same year, he enlisted in the Sri Lanka Navy on 1 November 1980 as an [[officer cadet]] as part of the 9th Intake at the  [[Naval and Maritime Academy]], [[Trincomalee]].<ref name= "defencelk" /> He completed officer training as a [[Midshipman]] at both [[Naval and Maritime Academy|Trincomalee]] and [[Britannia Royal Naval College|Dartmouth]] (where he was awarded 'Best International [[Midshipman]], 1982') in 1982.<ref name= "defencelk" /> He would go on to follow a [[Sub-lieutenant]] technical course and specialize in anti-submarine warfare in India, and followed a staff course at the [[Pakistan Navy War College]].<ref name= "defencelk" /> In 1996 he gained a [[BSc]] in War Studies from the [[University of Karachi]], and later graduated from the [[National Defense University]] ([[Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies|NESA]]) and [[National Defence College, India]] (50th NDC Course - 2010).<ref name= "defencelk" /> In 2010, he obtained an [[MPhil]] in Defence and Strategic Studies at the [[University of Madras]].<ref name= "defencelk" /><ref name= "Royalcollege" /> He is a Member of the [[Nautical Institute]].
Graduating in the same year, he enlisted in the Sri Lanka Navy on 1 November 1980 as an [[officer cadet]] as part of the 9th Intake at the  [[Naval and Maritime Academy]], [[Trincomalee]].<ref name= "defencelk" /> He completed officer training as a [[Midshipman]] at both [[Naval and Maritime Academy|Trincomalee]] and [[Britannia Royal Naval College|Dartmouth]] (where he was awarded 'Best International [[Midshipman]], 1982') in 1982.<ref name= "defencelk" /> He would go on to follow a [[Sub-lieutenant]] technical course and specialize in anti-submarine warfare in India, and followed a staff course at the [[Pakistan Navy War College]].<ref name= "defencelk" /> In 1996 he gained a [[BSc]] in War Studies from the [[University of Karachi]], and later graduated from the [[National Defense University]] ([[Near East South Asia Center for Strategic Studies|NESA]]) and [[National Defence College, India]] (50th NDC Course - 2010).<ref name= "defencelk" /> In 2010, he obtained an [[MPhil]] in Defence and Strategic Studies at the [[University of Madras]].<ref name= "defencelk" /><ref name= "Royalcollege" /> He is a Member of the [[Nautical Institute]].


==Naval career==
==Naval career==
Starting out as a [[Sub-lieutenant]], Admiral Wijegunaratne gained early exposure to the [[Sri Lankan Civil War]] fighting alongside India's [[MARCOS]] in the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]]'s 1987 [[Operation Pawan]].<ref name= "defencelk" /> Having been promoted to the rank of [[Lieutenant Commander]], he founded Sri Lanka's elite [[Special Boat Squadron (Sri Lanka)|Special Boat Squadron]] (SBS) in 1993, building on the work done by [[Lieutenant commander]] Shanthi Bahar.<ref name= "defencelk" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.lk/en/special-units.html/|title=Sri Lanka Navy- Special Units|website=Navy.lk|accessdate=24 July 2022}}</ref> Wijegunaratne led the SBS during the [[Battle of Pooneryn]] and held its command twice through his career, once in 1993-1994 and again in 1999-2000.<ref name= "defencelk" /> As a result of his specialization and work in the SBS, he is regarded as an expert in asymmetric naval warfare and small boat operations.<ref name= "defencelk" /> Between June 2005 and March 2006, he served as [[Commanding officer#Navy|Commanding Officer]] of the SLN's flagship at that time, [[SLNS Sayura]]. He was also instrumental in forming the Sri Lanka Navy Marines.<ref name= "defencelk" />
Starting out as a [[Sub-lieutenant]], Admiral Wijegunaratne gained early exposure to the [[Sri Lankan Civil War]] fighting alongside India's [[MARCOS]] in the [[Indian Peace Keeping Force]]'s 1987 [[Operation Pawan]].<ref name= "defencelk" /> Having been promoted to the rank of [[Lieutenant Commander]], he founded Sri Lanka's elite [[Special Boat Squadron (Sri Lanka)|Special Boat Squadron]] (SBS) in 1993, building on the work done by [[Lieutenant commander]] Shanthi Bahar.<ref name= "defencelk" /><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.navy.lk/en/special-units.html/|title=Sri Lanka Navy- Special Units|website=Navy.lk|accessdate=24 July 2017}}</ref> Wijegunaratne led the SBS during the [[Battle of Pooneryn]] and held its command twice through his career, once in 1993-1994 and again in 1999-2000.<ref name= "defencelk" /> As a result of his specialization and work in the SBS, he is regarded as an expert in asymmetric naval warfare and small boat operations.<ref name= "defencelk" /> Between June 2005 and March 2006, he served as [[Commanding officer#Navy|Commanding Officer]] of the SLN's flagship at that time, [[SLNS Sayura]]. He was also instrumental in forming the Sri Lanka Navy Marines.<ref name= "defencelk" />


Promoted to the rank of [[Commodore (rank)|Commodore]], and then to [[Rear Admiral]] in 2009,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nation.lk/2009/09/27/militarym.htm | title=Female suicide bombers hiding under NGO cover | newspaper=The Nation | date=27 September 2009 | location=Sri Lanka | first=Tissa | last=Ravindra Perera | accessdate=13 June 2018 }}</ref> Wijegunaratne has held several appointments and commands within the [[Sri Lanka Navy]]:
Promoted to the rank of [[Commodore (rank)|Commodore]], and then to [[Rear Admiral]] in 2009,<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.nation.lk/2009/09/27/militarym.htm | title=Female suicide bombers hiding under NGO cover | newspaper=The Nation | date=27 September 2009 | location=Sri Lanka | first=Tissa | last=Ravindra Perera | accessdate=13 June 2018 }}</ref> Wijegunaratne has held several appointments and commands within the [[Sri Lanka Navy]]:
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He was appointed the Chief of Staff of the [[Sri Lanka Navy]] on 7 July 2014, and promoted to [[Vice Admiral]] and appointed Commander of the Navy on 11 July 2015.<ref name= "defencelk" /> On 22 February 2016, President [[Maithripala Sirisena]] granted him a six-month service extension as commander.<ref name= "defencelk" />
He was appointed the Chief of Staff of the [[Sri Lanka Navy]] on 7 July 2014, and promoted to [[Vice Admiral]] and appointed Commander of the Navy on 11 July 2015.<ref name= "defencelk" /> On 22 February 2016, President [[Maithripala Sirisena]] granted him a six-month service extension as commander.<ref name= "defencelk" />


On 18 August 2017, Wijegunaratne was promoted to the rank of [[Admiral]]  and appointed Chief of Defense Staff in light of his upcoming retirement from active service.<ref name=  "CDS" /> He assumed duties as CDS on 22 August 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne assumes office as Chief of Defence Staff|url=http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Admiral_Ravindra_Wijegunaratne_as_the_newly_appointed_Chief_of_Defence_Staff_20170822|website=Defence.lk|publisher=Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka|accessdate=22 August 2022}}</ref>
On 18 August 2017, Wijegunaratne was promoted to the rank of [[Admiral]]  and appointed Chief of Defense Staff in light of his upcoming retirement from active service.<ref name=  "CDS" /> He assumed duties as CDS on 22 August 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne assumes office as Chief of Defence Staff|url=http://www.defence.lk/new.asp?fname=Admiral_Ravindra_Wijegunaratne_as_the_newly_appointed_Chief_of_Defence_Staff_20170822|website=Defence.lk|publisher=Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka|accessdate=22 August 2017}}</ref>


Wijegunaratne has also held a diplomatic post as [[Diplomatic rank#Bilateral diplomacy|First Secretary]] and [[Military attaché|Defense Attaché]] at the Sri Lankan High Commission in [[New Delhi]] between 2001 and 2005.<ref name= "defencelk" /> He has been a guest lecturer at the Center for Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups, US [[Naval War College]] and the [[Pakistan Navy War College]].<ref name= "defencelk" />
Wijegunaratne has also held a diplomatic post as [[Diplomatic rank#Bilateral diplomacy|First Secretary]] and [[Military attaché|Defense Attaché]] at the Sri Lankan High Commission in [[New Delhi]] between 2001 and 2005.<ref name= "defencelk" /> He has been a guest lecturer at the Center for Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups, US [[Naval War College]] and the [[Pakistan Navy War College]].<ref name= "defencelk" />
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==Controversy==
==Controversy==
Wijegunaratne was alleged to have threatened and assaulted a journalist during an SLN intervention during a violent dockworkers' strike at the [[Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port|Hambantota Port]] in December 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news/38887/navy-commander-to-show-cause-for-allegation-against-him|title=Navy Commander to show cause for allegation against him|website=Adaderana.lk|accessdate=24 July 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2016/12/18/columns/arjuna%E2%80%99s-game-changer-ends-nine-day-hambantota-port-strike|title=Arjuna's game-changer ends nine-day Hambantota port strike|website=Sundayobserver.lk|accessdate=24 July 2022}}</ref>
Wijegunaratne was alleged to have threatened and assaulted a journalist during an SLN intervention during a violent dockworkers' strike at the [[Magampura Mahinda Rajapaksa Port|Hambantota Port]] in December 2016<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.adaderana.lk/news/38887/navy-commander-to-show-cause-for-allegation-against-him|title=Navy Commander to show cause for allegation against him|website=Adaderana.lk|accessdate=24 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.sundayobserver.lk/2016/12/18/columns/arjuna%E2%80%99s-game-changer-ends-nine-day-hambantota-port-strike|title=Arjuna's game-changer ends nine-day Hambantota port strike|website=Sundayobserver.lk|accessdate=24 July 2017}}</ref>


==Honors==
==Honors==
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{{s-mil}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Crishantha de Silva]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Crishantha de Silva]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Defence Staff (Sri Lanka)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]|years=August 2017 - January 2022}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Chief of the Defence Staff (Sri Lanka)|Chief of the Defence Staff]]|years=August 2017 - January 2020}}
{{s-aft| after = [[Shavendra Silva]]}}
{{s-aft| after = [[Shavendra Silva]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jayantha Perera]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jayantha Perera]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Commander of the Navy (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy]]|years=July 2015 - August 2022}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Commander of the Navy (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy]]|years=July 2015 - August 2017}}
{{s-aft| after = [[Travis Sinniah]]}}
{{s-aft| after = [[Travis Sinniah]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jayantha Perera]]}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Jayantha Perera]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chief of Staff of the Sri Lankan Navy|years=July 2014 - July 2022}}
{{s-ttl|title=Chief of Staff of the Sri Lankan Navy|years=July 2014 - July 2015}}
{{s-aft| after = [[Sirimevan Ranasinghe]]}}
{{s-aft| after = [[Sirimevan Ranasinghe]]}}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}

Latest revision as of 11:32, 20 December 2022


Admiral

Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne
Nickname(s)Ravi
Born (1962-02-22) 22 February 1962 (age 64)[1]
AllegianceSri Lanka
Service/branchError creating thumbnail: File missing Sri Lanka Navy
Years of service1980 – 2019
RankAdmiral
Service numberNRX0176[1]
UnitSpecial Boat Squadron
Commands heldChief of Defence Staff
Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy
Chief of Staff
Director General Coast Guard
Eastern Naval Command
Northern Naval Area
Western Naval Command
Southern Naval Command
Battles/warsSri Lankan Civil War
AwardsError creating thumbnail: File missing Weerodara Vibhushanaya
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Rana Wickrama Padakkama (x2)
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Rana Sura Padakkama
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Uttama Seva Padakkama
Error creating thumbnail: File missing Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal,
Nishan-e-Imtiaz
Other workFirst Secretary/Defense Attache, Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi
Error creating thumbnail: File missing
John Richardson and Ravindra Wijegunaratne

Admiral Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne, WV, RWP & Bar, RSP, VSV, USP, NI(M), ndc, psn, is a retired Sri Lankan naval officer, and former Chief of Defence Staff of the Sri Lanka Armed Forces.[2] He has also served as the Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy, Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard and held, at various times, four of the seven Naval Commands of the SLN.[3][4][5][6] Wijegunaratne has also served as Director Naval Operations, and is a recipient of the Weerodara Vibhushanaya.[7]

Education[edit | edit source]

Born in 1962, Wijegunaratne was educated at the Royal College, Colombo from 1969.[8][9] At Royal College, he was a President's Scout, Lance sergeant of the Herman Loos Cadet Platoon and a School Prefect in addition to representing the school in both hockey and basketball, as well as being an All-Island Junior Athletics Champion.[9] He was the fourth Royalist to be appointed Commander of the SLN.[9]

Graduating in the same year, he enlisted in the Sri Lanka Navy on 1 November 1980 as an officer cadet as part of the 9th Intake at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee.[8] He completed officer training as a Midshipman at both Trincomalee and Dartmouth (where he was awarded 'Best International Midshipman, 1982') in 1982.[8] He would go on to follow a Sub-lieutenant technical course and specialize in anti-submarine warfare in India, and followed a staff course at the Pakistan Navy War College.[8] In 1996 he gained a BSc in War Studies from the University of Karachi, and later graduated from the National Defense University (NESA) and National Defence College, India (50th NDC Course - 2010).[8] In 2010, he obtained an MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies at the University of Madras.[8][9] He is a Member of the Nautical Institute.

Naval career[edit | edit source]

Starting out as a Sub-lieutenant, Admiral Wijegunaratne gained early exposure to the Sri Lankan Civil War fighting alongside India's MARCOS in the Indian Peace Keeping Force's 1987 Operation Pawan.[8] Having been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Commander, he founded Sri Lanka's elite Special Boat Squadron (SBS) in 1993, building on the work done by Lieutenant commander Shanthi Bahar.[8][10] Wijegunaratne led the SBS during the Battle of Pooneryn and held its command twice through his career, once in 1993-1994 and again in 1999-2000.[8] As a result of his specialization and work in the SBS, he is regarded as an expert in asymmetric naval warfare and small boat operations.[8] Between June 2005 and March 2006, he served as Commanding Officer of the SLN's flagship at that time, SLNS Sayura. He was also instrumental in forming the Sri Lanka Navy Marines.[8]

Promoted to the rank of Commodore, and then to Rear Admiral in 2009,[11] Wijegunaratne has held several appointments and commands within the Sri Lanka Navy:

  • Director Naval Operations
  • Director Naval Weapon Systems
  • Director Special Forces
  • Director Maritime Surveillance
  • Commandant of the Naval and Maritime Academy
  • Flag officer Commanding Naval Fleet
  • Director General Services
  • Commander, Eastern Naval Command
  • Commander, Northern Naval Command
  • Commander, Western Naval Command
  • Commander, Southern Naval Command

As Director Naval Operations in 2007, he oversaw the SLN's efforts to halt Sea Tiger arms smuggling, leading to the destruction of what are thought to be the LTTE's four final floating armouries.[8]

He was appointed the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy on 7 July 2014, and promoted to Vice Admiral and appointed Commander of the Navy on 11 July 2015.[8] On 22 February 2016, President Maithripala Sirisena granted him a six-month service extension as commander.[8]

On 18 August 2017, Wijegunaratne was promoted to the rank of Admiral and appointed Chief of Defense Staff in light of his upcoming retirement from active service.[2] He assumed duties as CDS on 22 August 2017.[12]

Wijegunaratne has also held a diplomatic post as First Secretary and Defense Attaché at the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi between 2001 and 2005.[8] He has been a guest lecturer at the Center for Irregular Warfare and Armed Groups, US Naval War College and the Pakistan Navy War College.[8]

Honors[edit | edit source]

His decorations include Weerodara Vibhushanaya, Rana Wickrama Padakkama twice, Rana Sura Padakkama for gallantry; Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya and Uttama Seva Padakkama for meritorious service, and the Surface Warfare Badge.

On 13 February 2019, Admiral Wijegunaratne was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) Medal by the President of Pakistan in Islamabad.[13]

Personal life[edit | edit source]

Wijegunaratne is married to Yamuna De Saram and has one son, Satyajith.[8] He has been a keen sportsman since his childhood, and is a qualified diver and parachutist; a parachuting accident in 2001 led to Wijegunaratne breaking both legs.[8] In addition to playing hockey and basketball at school, he has represented the SLN in rugby, and rowing/sailing, both of which he has received Sri Lanka Navy Colours for.[8] He is an expert marksman, and has held the Chair of the Sri Lanka Rifle Association and the Sri Lanka Navy Golf Club.[6][8]

Controversy[edit | edit source]

Wijegunaratne was alleged to have threatened and assaulted a journalist during an SLN intervention during a violent dockworkers' strike at the Hambantota Port in December 2016[14][15]

Honors[edit | edit source]

He was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz the highest of civil honor given by the Government of Pakistan in 2019.[16]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Travis Sinniah to have shortest tenure?". srilankamirror.com. Sri Lanka Mirror. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 25 October 2017.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne appointed new Chief of Defence Staff". Daily News Sri Lanka. Daily News Sri Lanka. Retrieved 18 August 2017.
  3. ↑ Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne assumes duties as the 20th Commander of the Navy
  4. ↑ Rear Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy
  5. ↑ New Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guard assumes duties
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Commander of the Navy". Navy.lk. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  7. ↑ Two Intakes of Sailors pass out at SLNS Nipuna Archived 2011-11-03 at the Wayback Machine
  8. ↑ 8.00 8.01 8.02 8.03 8.04 8.05 8.06 8.07 8.08 8.09 8.10 8.11 8.12 8.13 8.14 8.15 8.16 8.17 8.18 8.19 "Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne assumes duties as the 20th Commander of the Navy". Defence.lk. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 "Vice Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne – 20th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy". royalcollege.lk. 4 May 2016. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  10. ↑ "Sri Lanka Navy- Special Units". Navy.lk. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  11. ↑ Ravindra Perera, Tissa (27 September 2009). "Female suicide bombers hiding under NGO cover". The Nation. Sri Lanka. Retrieved 13 June 2018.
  12. ↑ "Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne assumes office as Chief of Defence Staff". Defence.lk. Ministry of Defence, Sri Lanka. Retrieved 22 August 2017.
  13. ↑ "Pakistan confers Nishan-i-Imtiaz on Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne". Adaderana. Retrieved 6 May 2022.
  14. ↑ "Navy Commander to show cause for allegation against him". Adaderana.lk. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  15. ↑ "Arjuna's game-changer ends nine-day Hambantota port strike". Sundayobserver.lk. Retrieved 24 July 2017.
  16. ↑ Pakistan confers highest military award to Admiral Wijegunaratne


Military offices
Preceded by
Crishantha de Silva 		Chief of the Defence Staff
August 2017 - January 2020 		Succeeded by
Shavendra Silva
Preceded by
Jayantha Perera 		Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy
July 2015 - August 2017 		Succeeded by
Travis Sinniah
Preceded by
Jayantha Perera 		Chief of Staff of the Sri Lankan Navy
July 2014 - July 2015 		Succeeded by
Sirimevan Ranasinghe

Template:Commanders of the Sri Lankan Navy

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