Rear Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne assumed duties as the Director General of the Sri Lanka Coast Guard on 8th January 2013. Prior to his new appointment, he served as the Commander Eastern Naval Area of the Sri Lanka Navy.
Rear Admiral Wijegunaratne is a highly decorated SLN officer with four gallantry medals for his bravery and valour. He is the recipient of Weerodara Vibhushanaya (highest gallantry medal in Sri Lanka for non-military nature), Rana Wickrama medal twice (individual gallantry in the face of the enemy) and Rana Sura medal (collective gallantry in the face of the enemy).
Rear Admiral Wijegunaratne is a qualified diver, parachute jumper and the senior most Special Forces Naval officer instrumental in forming the Sri Lanka Navy’s Special Force element known as the Special Boat Squadron (SBS) which contributed immensely during the conflict period. He commanded this elite unit twice in his career and has led a number of SBS operations behind the enemy lines and amphibious operations.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, January 9, 2013; Image: Sri Lanka Navy