Biography

Banagoda Arachchilage Kanchana Silan Priyanka Banagoda is a proud product of S. Thomas’ College, Bandarawela and Bandarawela Central College. Joining the Sri Lanka Navy on 15th September 1989 as an Officer Cadet of the 19th intake, in the Executive branch, he completed basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee. Due to his outstanding performance in basic training, he was privileged to secure an opportunity to attend the prestigious International Midshipman Course at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth in the UK and proudly earned his commission in 1991.

He successfully completed the Sub Lieutenant Technical Course at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee in 1994 and underwent the Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) Specialization Course at the Indian Naval Ship Venduruthy, Kochi in India and the Defence Services Command and Staff Course (DSCSC), at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Mirpur in Bangladesh in 2009. He is a distinguished alumnus of the University of Wollongong, New South Wales in Australia where he completed the Master of Maritime Policy Programme in 2019. In 2022, he completed the National Security & Strategic Studies Course at the National Defence College, Colombo. In addition, he holds a Bachelor’s degree in Management Studies and a Master’s degree in Business Administration in Human Resources Management from the Open University of Sri Lanka.

With a career spanning over 34 years, he has gained extensive experience at sea, commanding various craft, ships and shore establishments, including seven (7) afloat and three (3) ashore assignments. He has also served two terms as an Instructing Officer at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU), and Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda. He has held several key positions, including Deputy Director Naval Training, Training Captain at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Head of the Training Team at the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Sapugaskanda, Director Naval Training and Acting Director General Training at the Navy Headquarters (NHQ). The senior officer, who has successfully led four naval commands; Southeastern (Panama), North Central (Talaimannar), Northern (Kankesanthurai), and Eastern (Trincomalee), took on the role of Chief of Staff on 16th August 2024. He was appointed as the 26th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy by His Excellency the President effective from 31st December 2024.

The senior naval officer has been awarded with the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), Uththama Sewa Padakkama (USP) and a bunch of other service medals in recognition of his bravery, impeccable character and dedication to the service. Additionally, his efforts have been commended by the Commander of the Navy for successfully apprehending multiple narcotic consignments and three vessels along with their crews during high seas operations conducted by SLNS Sayurala.

Vice Admiral Kanchana Banagoda serves as an Associated Fellow in the Nautical Institute (UK) and has been appointed as a Justice of Peace (Whole Island). When he is not navigating maritime matters, the senior officer enjoys a variety of pursuits, including racket games, travel, exploration, photography, reading and music. He is married to Anusha and blessed with a daughter and a son.