Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva assumes office as the 23rd Navy Commander
January 02, 2019Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva assumed office as the 23rd Commander of the Navy, on Tuesday (01 January, 2019). In a symbolic gesture of handing over command, the outgoing Commander, Admiral Sirimevan Ranasinghe presented the new Navy Commander the Admiral's Sword at the ceremony held at the Navy Headquarters in Colombo, yesterday, states Navy media.
His Excellency, the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Maithripala Sirisena appointed Rear Admiral Piyal De Silva as the 23rd Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy and promoted him to the 3-star rank of Vice Admiral with effect from 01st January, 2019.
Vice Admiral Silva was the Chief of Staff of the Navy prior to his appointment as the Navy Commander.
Vice Admiral Silva joined the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet of the 12th Intake in 1984 after completing studies at Dharmasoka College in Ambalangoda. Upon completing basic training, he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant in February 1986.
Vice Admiral Silva has a Master's Degree of Business Administration in Human Resource Management and also in Defence and Strategic Studies. He has followed his National Defence Course at the National Defence University, China.
He is a veteran of Explosive Ordnance Disposal Diving and is well versed in Disaster Management activities.
An avid sportsman, Vice Admiral Silva has been adjudged the Best Sportsman of the Sri Lanka Navy on two occasions and has also represented the national basketball team at South Asian and Asian Basketball tournaments on several occasions.
As a distinguished officer who had contributed immensely to the Navy and the country, Vice Admiral Piyal De Silva has been presented with the Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya (WWV) twice, Rana Wikrama Padakkama (RWP) and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for gallantry, Vishishta Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV) and Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) for exemplary conduct.
His is married to Mrs. Arundathi Jayaneththi, and is the father of two sons, Yehan and Dulina.
