Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe was appointed as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy effective from 31st December 2024.

The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda officially handed over the letter of appointment to Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe at the Navy Headquarters today (15th January 2025) and expressed his best wishes to him in his new role as Deputy Chief of Staff.

Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe, a distinguished old boy of Bandaranayake Central College, Veyangoda, and embarked on his naval career as an Officer Cadet in the 21st intake of the Sri Lanka Navy’s Executive Branch in 1991.

Following his initial naval training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, he was commissioned as a Sub Lieutenant in 1993. In 1995, he completed the Sub Lieutenant Technical Course at the Naval and Maritime Academy and later specialized in Gunnery at INS Dronacharya, Cochin, India in 2003.

His academic and professional development includes the Staff Course at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda in 2008, an Engineering Course on Naval Gun Maintenance in China in 2010 and the Senior Command Course at the Naval Command College, Nanjing,
China in 2019.

He further enriched his strategic acumen by completing the National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Bangladesh in 2021.

Rear Admiral Kumarasinghe holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, a Master of Defence Studies from the University of Kelaniya, and a Master’s degree from the University of Professionals, Bangladesh.

Rising through the ranks, he was promoted to Rear Admiral on 21st June 2023.Throughout his illustrious naval career, Rear Admiral Chinthaka Kumarasinghe has excelled in various commanding roles aboard Fast Attack Craft, naval ships, and at key naval establishments. Notable positions he has held include Senior Staff Officer (Human Resources),
Instructor at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Deputy Director Naval Personnel, Director Naval Policy and Plan, and Commander Southern Naval Area.

Prior to his current role as Deputy Chief of Staff, he served as Commander Western Naval Area and Commandant Volunteer Naval Force, responsibilities he continues to oversee.

(Navy Media)

President Anura Kumara Disanayake, who is currently on a state visit to China, visited the exhibition hall on the history of the Communist Party of China today (15).
Following this, President Disanayake visited the historic Prince Kung’s Palace Museum in China.

Later, he paid his respects by offering flowers at the Mao Zedong Memorial, dedicated to the founding leader of the People’s Republic of China.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment, and Tourism, Vijitha Herath, and Minister of Transport, Highways, Ports, and Civil Aviation, Bimal Rathnayake, also participated in these events.

The upgrading of the Hingurakgoda runway was underway to meet international standards and accommodate widely utilised Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 aircraft, the Sri Lankan Air Force (SLAF) said in a statement.

The Air Force said it had been entrusted with the design and construction of the runway and that the Road Development Authority (RDA) had been assigned to review the SLAF’s designs and provide consultations. The Civil Aviation Authority and Airports and Aviation Services Sri Lanka will issue essential guidelines and regulatory frameworks through a Cabinet memorandum.

The project was officially inaugurated on 19 August, 2024 by the Special Project Management Unit of the SLAF.

The upgrade process is divided into four distinct phases, with the first phase focusing on the construction of the main runway, which includes seven stages and the initial allocation of funds facilitated the completion of stages one and two, resulting in the asphalt binder course for 850 metres of the total 2,500-metre runway.

Prior to proceeding with the final asphalt course, the RDA consultant team recommended conducting a test landing on the completed 850-metre section. A Y-12 aircraft, piloted by the Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, successfully conducted the test landing on 13 January 2025, marking a significant milestone in the project. The event was attended by the Director of the Special Project Management Unit, Air Vice Marshal Sumedha Silva and the Base Commander of SLAF Base Hingurakgoda, Air Commodore Dinesh Jayaweera.

The next stage of construction, which involves extending the runway by another 850 metres, is scheduled to begin on 15 January 2025. With approval granted by the President, the project aims to complete the full 2,500-meter runway, ensuring it meets the operational requirements of larger aircraft.