With effect from August 16, 2024, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda has been named the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy. Hon. Ranil Wickremesinghe, the President and Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces, made the appointment. On August 26, 2024, Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, Commander of the Navy, officially accepted the letter of appointment at Navy Headquarters.
1989 saw Rear Admiral Banagoda enlist in the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet. He attended S. Thomas’ College in Bandarawela. In 1991, he received his commission as a Sub Lieutenant after finishing his basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee. He became an expert in Anti-Submarine Warfare in 2000 and climbed the ranks steadily, becoming a Rear Admiral in May 2022.
Rear Admiral Banagoda has substantial academic background in addition to his naval training. He holds a Master of Business Administration in Human Resource Management from the Open University of Sri Lanka and a Master of Maritime Policy from the University of Wollongong, Australia. In addition, he has finished the National Defense Course at the National Defence University in Colombo and the Staff Course at the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Bangladesh.
Rear Admiral Banagoda has led numerous Fast Attack Craft, Ships, and Establishments in the Navy over his illustrious career. Along with these notable roles, he has also served as the Commander of the Southeastern, North Central, and Northern Naval Areas, as well as the Director of Naval Training. He was Commander of the Eastern Naval Area prior to his current post.
Rear Admiral Banagoda has been granted the Rana Sura Padakkama and Uththama Sewa Padakkama (USP) in recognition of his courage and commitment to duty.