Navy Commander delivers memorial oration honouring late General Deshamanya Denis Perera

The Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Damian Fernando delivered the 12 General Deshamanya Denis Perera Memorial Oration at the annual commemoration held in honour of the late General.

Organized by the Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers, the ceremony brought together a distinguished assembly of military veterans, dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps at the Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) Faculty of Graduate Studies Auditorium on 11 August 2026.

The event began with the Navy Commander being received by senior members of the Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers, including its President Major General MPS Chandrapala (Retd), Rear Admiral AV Abeysena (Retd), Air Vice Marshal K Yahampath (Retd), Rear Admiral WMPL Weerasinghe (Retd) and Rear Admiral Andrew Wijesinghe (Retd), along with Kotelawala Defence University Vice Chancellor Rear Admiral Dammika Kumara.

Following his welcome address, the President of the Association introduced Vice Admiral Fernando to deliver the 12 memorial oration.

Late General Deshamanya Denis Perera, the 08 Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, is regarded as the Founder of KDU for his pioneering role in obtaining the property and land to establish the university. Held annually, this oration stands as a tribute to his far-sighted vision and exemplary leadership of late General Deshamanya Denis Perera.

Commander of the Navy's address, themed ‘Our Watch’: Building a Future Ready Navy, captivated the audience with its forward-looking vision and pragmatic roadmap for the Navy's future.

Recalling the illustrious service legacy of General Deshamanya Denis Perera, the Commander of the Navy stated that great leaders are remembered not by the positions they held, but by the institutions they strengthened, the leadership qualities they nurtured, and the values they bequeathed to future generations.

Emphasizing the need to build a future-ready Navy founded on agility, reliability, and strategic relevance to meet forthcoming challenges, the Commander further noted that while emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, are significant, no technology can replace the judgment, integrity, and humane qualities inherent in true leadership.

The event was also graced by Mrs. Ranjini Fernando, beloved spouse of the late General Deshamanya Denis Perera and attended by many prominent figures, including Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd), Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne, Commander of the Air Force, Air Marshal Bandu Edirisinghe, retired and serving senior officers and distinguished guests.