Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda Appointed as
Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy
December 30, 2024
Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, RSP, USP, ndc, psc, MMaritimePol, MBA in HRM, PG Dip in HRM, BMS, Dip in Mgt, AFIN has been appointed as the 26th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy (SLN) by His Excellency President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
An alumnus of S. Thomas' College, Bandarawela, Vice Admiral Banagoda began his illustrious naval career in 1989 as an officer cadet in the executive branch under the 19th intake. Upon completing his basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA) in Trincomalee and Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant in 1991.
Vice Admiral Banagoda has completed the Sub Lieutenant Technical Course at the NMA in 1993 and specialized in Anti-Submarine Warfare at Indian Naval Ship Venduruthy in 2000. He also graduated from the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Bangladesh in 2009 and earned a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from the Open University of Sri Lanka in 2015. In 2019, he obtained a Master’s Degree in Maritime Policy from the University of Wollongong, Australia, and furthered his strategic expertise by attending the National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Colombo, in 2021.
In recognition of his exemplary service to the nation, Vice Admiral Banagoda has been awarded the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for gallantry and the Uththama Sewa Padakkama (USP) for his impeccable character and dedication to duty.
Vice Admiral Banagoda has held several prestigious appointments within the Sri Lanka Navy, including Director Naval Training, Commander Southeastern Naval Area, Commander North Central Naval Area, Commander Northern Naval Area, and Commander Eastern Naval Area. He has also commanded various Fast Attack Craft, ships, and naval establishments. Prior to his promotion as Commander of the Navy, he served as the Chief of Staff of the SLN.
Vice Admiral Banagoda is married to Mrs. Anusha Banagoda, and the couple is blessed with two children, Amavi and Himeth.
