Ravindra Wijegunaratne

Education Born in 1962, Wijegunaratne was educated at the Royal College, Colombo from 1969. At Royal College, he was a President's Scout, Lance sergeant of the Herman Loos Cadet Platoon and a School Prefect in addition to representing the school in both hockey and basketball, as well as being an All-Island Junior Athletics Champion. Wijegunaratne led the SBS during the Battle of Pooneryn and held its command twice through his career, once in 1993-1994 and again in 1999-2000. Wijegunaratne has held several appointments and commands within the Sri Lanka Navy: Director Naval Operations Director Naval Weapon Systems Director Special Forces Director Maritime Surveillance Commandant of the Naval and Maritime Academy Flag officer Commanding Naval Fleet Director General Services Commander, Eastern Naval Command Commander, Northern Naval Command Commander, Western Naval Command Commander, Southern Naval Command As Director Naval Operations in 2007, he oversaw the SLN's efforts to halt Sea Tiger arms smuggling, leading to the elimination of what are thought to be the LTTE's four final floating armouries.

On 18 August 2017, Wijegunaratne was promoted to the rank of admiral and appointed Chief of Defense Staff in light of his upcoming retirement from active service.

Wijegunaratne has also held a diplomatic post as First Secretary and Defense Attaché at the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi between 2001 and 2005.

Honors His decorations include Weerodara Vibhushanaya, Rana Wickrama Padakkama twice, Rana Sura Padakkama for gallantry; Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya and Uttama Seva Padakkama for meritorious service, and the Surface Warfare Badge.

On 13 February 2019, Admiral Wijegunaratne was awarded the Nishan-e-Imtiaz (Military) Medal by the President of Pakistan in Islamabad.

Personal life Wijegunaratne is married to Yamuna De Saram and has one son, Satyajith.