Sri Lanka, July 1 -- President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has appointed Rear Admiral Damian Fernando, who served as Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, as the 27th Navy Commander, promoting him to the rank of Vice Admiral.

The letter of appointment was handed over to him yesterday (30) by President's Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake, at the Presidential Secretariat.

The appointment will take effect from today (1). Outgoing Navy Commander Kanchana Banagoda retires from office today (1).

Vice Admiral Damian Fernando received his education at St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa. He joined the Sri Lanka Navy in 1991 as an Officer Cadet in the Executive Branch under the 21st intake and, having successfully completed his basic naval tr...