Sri Lanka, July 1 -- Duties officially commenced today (01) for Vice Admiral Damien Fernando as the 27th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, according to the Navy Media Unit.

The traditional handing over of the Navy Commander's sword marked the transition from former Navy Commander Admiral Kanchana Banagoda to the newly appointed chief earlier this morning. Following a 48-member guard of honour, religious blessings from all major faiths accompanied the official assumption of office.

An alumnus of St. Joseph Vaz College, Wennappuwa, Vice Admiral Fernando joined the Executive Branch of the Navy in 1991 as an officer cadet under the 21st intake. His foundational training concluded successfully at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee,...