Sept 27, Colombo: New commander of Sri Lanka Navy took helms Thursday today ceremonially at the Naval Headquarters in Colombo.

Sri Lanka Commander-In-Chief, President Mahinda Rajapaksa promoted Rear Admiral Jayanath Colombage to the 3-star rank of Vice Admiral with effect from September 27, and appointed him as Sri Lanka Navy's 18th Commander.

He succeeds the retiring Navy Commander Vice Admiral Somathilake Dissanayake.

According to the Navy, Vice Admiral Colombage is the second officer to be considered to the highest seat of the Commander of the Navy straight from an operational naval command. Prior to his present appointment, he served as the Commander Eastern Naval Area.

Vice Admiral Colombage, a naval officer with a career spanning 34 years is a past student of Sylvester College in Kandy.