Nishantha Ulugetenne: Latest News

Colombo (News 1st) – Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne was promoted to the rank of Admiral effective from today (17th December 2022) by President Ranil Wickremesinghe. He was appointed as the 24th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy on 15th July 2020. Upon being promoted to the 4-star rank, Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne arrived at the Navy Headquarters, where he was received according a Guard of Honour in accordance with naval traditions, on Saturday (17 December). Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne joined the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet of the 13th Intake of the Sri Lanka Navy in 1985.

Sri Lanka Navy which is held in high esteem as the First Line of Defence of the Nation is marking the organization’s 72nd Anniversary today (09th December 2022). At the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, a wide range of programmes are being conducted in each Naval Command, giving prominence to time-honoured naval customs and religious practices. In addition, capital ships of the Sri Lanka Navy will rest at anchor off the Galle Face Green today (09th December), giving the public an opportunity to have a glance at some of the major ships of the Sri Lanka Navy.Coinciding with its anniversary, 222 officers as well as 3548 senior and junior sailors were promoted and advanced to their next higher ranks and rates on 09th December, at the recommendation of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A delegation headed by the National Hydrographer of the United Kingdom, Rear Admiral Rhett Hatcher called on Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne at the Navy Headquarters yesterday (8).The cordial discussion among them mainly focused on several matters about hydrography. The occasion was also attended by the Chief Hydrographer of the Sri Lanka Navy and Joint Chief Hydrographer to the Government of Sri Lanka, Rear Admiral Prasad Kariyapperuma and Defence Advisor at the British High Commission in Colombo, Colonel Paul Clayton.The cordial discussion drew to a close with an exchange of mementoes between the Commander of the Navy and the National Hydrographer of the United Kingdom.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lankan authorities revealed that the massive haul of 300 kg of heroin seized on the high seas south of the coastal city of Hambantota was sent to Sri Lanka by a wanted criminal identified as 'Ran Malli', a close associate of underworld leader Nadun Chinthaka alias Harak Kata.Sri Lanka Police said 'Ran Malli' and 'Harak Kata' are currently in hiding in Dubai.A special operation conducted by the Navy in coordination with the Police Special Task Force and Police Narcotic Bureau off the Great Basses Reef Lighthouse Hambantota led to the interception of a local fishing trawler carrying over 331kg of heroin (Including packages), worth around Rs. 6622 – 13244 million in gross street value and apprehension of 06 suspects on 05th November 2022. The drug-carrying trawler and the suspects were brought to Galle Harbour on Monday morning (07th November).

COLOMBO (News 1st) – A special operation conducted by the Navy in coordination with the Police Special Task Force and Police Narcotics Bureau off Hambantota, led to the interception of a local fishing trawler carrying over 300kg of heroin (Including packages), worth approx. gross street value of over Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Two  ships of the Royal Australian Navy, namely; HMAS Adelaide and HMAS Anzac which are engaged in Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022 arrived at the Port of Colombo this morning (25th October 2022). On their arrival, the visiting ships were welcomed by the Sri Lanka Navy in accordance with naval tradition.Indo-Pacific Endeavour (IPE) began in 2017 as an activity coordinated by the Australian Defence Force to strengthen Australia’s engagement and partnerships with regional security forces. Thus, this year’s IPE will return to Southeast and South Asia, consolidating partnerships with 14 countries such as Timor-Leste, Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, the Maldives and India.Commodore Mal Wise of Royal Australian Navy is the Commander Joint Task Force for Indo-Pacific Endeavour 2022.The visiting ship HMAS Adelaide which is a 230m-long Landing Helicopter Dock (LHD) is commanded by Captain SJ Watters.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne symbolically handed over 400 thalassemia infusion systems to the Deputy Director General (Non-Communicable Diseases) of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Champika Wickramasinghe at the Navy Headquarters on 19th October 2022. The infusion systems were produced by the Research and Development Unit of the Navy, under Naval Social Responsibility (NSR) initiatives.The infusion system is very much essential for thalassemia patients for the removal of excessive iron deposits in blood gathered in vital organs.Since the unit price of an infusion system in the market is generally not affordable, in 2011 the Navy set its mind to manufacture a low-cost thalassemia infusion system. So far, the Sri Lanka Navy has handed over 2774 thalassemia infusion systems to main hospitals and selected children down with the disease, in several phases. The Navy Research and Development Unit received the CDDA – (Cosmetics Devices & Drugs Regulatory Authority) for production of thalassemia infusion pumps in 2011.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Sri Lanka Navy as of now has kept 36 relief teams ready to extend relief measures to people, in the backdrop of inclement weather conditions reported in several areas of the island.Following the directives of Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, the Western Naval Command has sent 02 relief and rescue teams to Rathnapura and 04 teams to Kalutara, on standby.In addition, 21 more relief and rescue teams in the Western Naval Command and 09 similar teams in the Southern Naval Command have been kept on their toes for swift deployment, if need be.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – On the sidelines of the poppy flower campaign launched to commemorate war veterans, the President of Sri Lanka Naval Association, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne (Rtd) pinned a poppy flower on Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne at the Navy Headquarters today (12). The poppy flower campaign was originally adopted to commemorate those war veterans who perished for their country during World War I and II. Presently, the exchange of poppies symbolizes honoring the supreme sacrifice made by the veterans of the armed forces for the Motherland. As such, in commemoration of all naval war veterans, the President of the Sri Lanka Naval Association pinned this poppy flower on the Commander of the Navy today.The Vice President of the Sri Lanka Naval Association, Rear Admiral Manil Mendis (Rtd) and several members of the association were also present on this occasion.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne today (12) formally handed over the letter of appointment to Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne, who was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, and expressed his best wishes.Rear Admiral Jayantha Kularatne is a proud product of Mahanama College, Colombo. He joined the Sri Lanka Navy in 1987 as an Officer Cadet of the 16th intake, in the Executive branch. On successful completion of his basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant in 1989.

COLOMBO (News 1st) – The first of its kind Basic Diving Module arranged for the lady officers and women sailors of the Sri Lanka Navy concluded on a successful note in Trincomalee recently. The certificate awarding for 03 participants who completed the module was held under the patronage of the Commandant of Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA), Commodore Damian Fernando at the Diving School in the Naval Dockyard Trincomalee on 24th September 2022.The initiative was set in motion for the first time in the history of the Sri Lanka Navy in July this year, as per an idea mooted by Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, allowing an opportunity for Navy women who are willing to engage in diving. Accordingly, 02 lady officers and 01 woman sailor who met the physical fitness standards required for Basic Diving Module completed the module, conducted for 20 days from 05th to 24th September at the Diving School in the Naval Dockyard. On successful completion of the Basic Diving Module, Lieutenant (S) Gayanka Satharasinghe, Sub Lieutenant (VNF) Nimasha Jayawickrama, and Women Able Seaman (PTI) GDD Sakunthala marked their names in the history of diving in the Sri Lanka Navy, as women who achieved this significant feat for the first time.Commenced in 1962, the Diving Unit of the Sri Lanka Navy established its Diving School at the Naval Dockyard, Trincomalee in 1988, to provide formal diving training to Navy divers. The Navy Diving Unit undertakes a wide range of underwater activities such as; underwater inspection, maintenance and repair of naval vessels, salvage work, clearance, and underwater demolition, underwater surveying, lifesaving, and rescue as well as diving assistance of non-naval nature to public and

COLOMBO (News 1st); Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne who is currently in Pakistan on an official visit, called on the Chief of Naval Staff of Pakistan, Admiral M Amjad Khan Niazi at the Pakistan Navy Headquarters on 22nd February 2022.At the invitation of his Pakistan Navy counterpart, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne left for Pakistan on 21st February on a formal visit and he is accompanied by the President of Navy Seva Vanitha Unit, Chandima Ulugetenne in this official visit.Beginning his itinerary, the Commander of the Navy visited the Pakistan Navy Headquarters where he was warmly received by the Pakistan Navy Chief in accordance with naval traditions.The ensuing discussion between them focused on several matters of regional security and bilateral importance.The Pakistani Naval Chief highlighted Pakistan Navy initiatives for ensuring maritime security and peace in the region through Regional Maritime Security Patrols.The visiting Admiral appreciated and acknowledged the Pakistan Navy’s efforts and commitments in support of collaborative maritime security in the region.The Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy was also briefed on Pakistan Navy operational capabilities.It is expected that the ongoing visit of the Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy will further enhance bilateral collaboration between the two countries.The cordial discussion came to an end with an exchange of mementos, marking the significance of this occasion.

ISLAMABAD (News 1st) – Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne, Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, called on Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday (22).The prime minister stated that Pakistan attaches immense importance to its relations with Sri Lanka as a reliable friend and partner.Fondly recalling his visit to Sri Lanka in February 2021, the prime minister reaffirmed the strong fraternal bonds between the two countries and Pakistan’s desire to comprehensively upgrade bilateral relations in all fields.Imran Khan added that security and defense cooperation had been a key component of Pakistan-Sri Lanka relations and a factor of peace and stability in the region.He said that he looked forward to the visit of Sri Lankan leadership to Pakistan.Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne underlined the close cooperative ties between the two countries and expressed gratitude for Pakistan’s support at international and regional fora.

COLOMBO (News 1st); In an operation conducted in seas north of Talaimannar in the dark hours of 12th February 2022, Sri Lanka Navy managed to seize 02 Indian trawlers with 12 Indian fishermen, whilst poaching in Sri Lankan waters.Sri Lanka Navy is conducting regular patrols and operations to curb illegal fishing activities in Sri Lankan waters, considering the impact of foreign fishermen poaching in Sri Lankan waters on the local fishing community and the sustainability of fishery resources of Sri Lanka.Meanwhile, Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne visiting the North Central Naval Command to review its operational readiness on 12th February 2022, gave necessary directives to beef up the operational efficiency of fleet units and naval establishments of the Command.Further, he emphasized the importance of curbing all forms of illegal activities including illegal fishing practices and ensuring the security of Sri Lankan waters.

COLOMBO (News 1st); The 74th Independence Day will be celebrated with pride with the participation of security forces in accordance with the COVID health guidelines, said General G.D.H.

COLOMBO (News 1st); In a successful operation carried out in international waters south of Sri Lanka, the Navy managed to seize a haul of heroin, with 11 suspects and 02 local fishing vessels on 17th and 22nd January 2022 and they were brought to the port of Colombo on Tuesday (24).Defence Secretary, General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne and Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne were also present at the Colombo harbour to inspect the apprehended consignment of narcotics.The consignment heroin in 309 packages, which had been stuffed in 13 sacks, weighed approx. 343kg 456g (including packages).The street value of the seized consignment of illegal drugs is believed to be over Rs.

COLOMBO (News 1st); Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne presented certificates of commendation under the ‘IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea – 2021’ to 04 naval personnel, during a special ceremony held at the Auditorium of Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee recently. The certificates of commendation were issued by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) taking into account the bravery of these individuals.Established in 1948, IMO is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.