Admiral Ravindra C. Wijegunaratne (Retired)
WV, RWP*, RSP, VSV, USP, NI (M) (Pakistan), ndc, psn, Bsc (Hons)
(War Studies) (Karachi) MPhil (Madras)
Former Navy Commander (2015-2017)
Former Chief of Defense Staff (2017-2020)
Admiral Wijegunaratne was the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Sri Lanka Armed Forces, the highest position of Sri Lanka Military. He studied at Royal College, Colombo 7 and has joined the Sri Lanka Navy as a Cadet on 1st November 1980 at the young age of 18 years. He is a recipient of “Best International Midshipman” award in prestigious Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, UK in 1982. His contribution to the Sri Lanka Navy and the country was immense, specially during the conflict time fighting against the terrorist group LTTE.
He is a recipient of Weerodara Vibhushanaya (WV), the highest gallantry medal in Sri Lanka for exceptional gallantry and Valour in non-military nature and three more gallantry medals. He is the founder of Sri Lanka Navy Special Boats Squadron (SBS), the Naval Commando unit in 1993. In 2016, as the Commander of the Navy, he raised Sri Lanka Navy Marines with the support of US Marines.
He was the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy for two years and two months and the Chief of Defence Staff for two years and six months. In February 2019, HE the President of Pakistan awarded Nissan -e- Imtiaz (Military) medal to Admiral Wijegunaratne recognizing his immense contribution for strengthening Pakistan-Sri Lanka Defence relations.
He is a recipient of BSc (Hons) War Studies degree from Karachi University, Pakistan and MPhil (Defence and Strategic Studies) degree from Madras University, India. He was a visiting lecturer to Pakistan Navy War College, Lahore, Pakistan and Centre for Irregular Warfare and Armed Conflicts in US Navy War College, Rhode Island, USA on Asymmetric Naval Warfare.
He was an outstanding sportsman during younger days, winning Sri Lanka Navy Colours in Rugby Football, Sailing and Rowing. He was also, a top marksman and was the President of the National Rifle Association (NRA).
He is married to Yamuna De Saram, the Miss Sri Lanka for Miss Asia Pacific contest 1989 and they have 28 years old son, Sathyajith.
He retired on 2nd January 2020, after 39 years of military service and now enjoying ‘Organicfarming’ in his ancestral home Yatadolawatta, Matugama.