Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonatileke Receive Five-Star Rank

The state investiture ceremony to confer the Admiral of the Fleet to the former Commander of the Navy, Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda (Retd) and former Commander of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke (Retd) was held under the auspices of the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Maithripala Sirisena at the Colombo harbour premises on 19th September 2019.

Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, in his brief introduction of the two illustrious careers of the retired officers said that they received the five star rank with effect from 05th August 2019. At the onset of nearly two hour-long programme, the gathering was shown documentaries on Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonatileke.

This five-star rank was conferred by the President in recognition of the charismatic military leadership given by Admiral of the Fleet Wasantha Karannagoda and Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goontileke to end the three-decade long ruthless terrorism.

This historic occasion was attended by Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, General Shantha Kottegoda (Retd), former Navy Commanders, Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne, Tri Forces Commanders and a host of senior officers from the Tri-Services.