Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera assumes duties as the 19th Commander of the Navy

His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, has appointed Rear Admiral Jayantha Perera RWP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, as the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and promoted him to the 3-star rank of Vice Admiral with effect from 01^st July 2014.

Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera is the 19^th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy in its illustrious history which spans over 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 23^rd 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 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, Pakistan. He followed the 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 commanded various ships in the Sri Lanka Navy including the Sri Lanka Navy Flag Ship SLNS Sayura (Commissioning Commanding Officer), Fast Gun Boats and Landing Craft. He was 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 decorated for distinguished service and received many commendations from several Commanders of the Navy for outstanding performance of duty and exceptional contributions to the naval service.

Vice Admiral Jayantha Perera is a distinguished past pupil of Thurstan College, Colombo.