Y. N. Jayarathna

Jayarathna was educated at the Royal College Colombo. He gained a Master’s in Defence Studies from the University of Kelaniya in 2001 and a Master's in Hydrography from the University of Goa in 2003.[1]

Having joined the Sri lanka Navy in 1986 as a Officer Cadet, Jayarathna received his basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, where he topped his batch winning the Sword of Honour and was selected for the International Midshipman Course at Britannia Royal Naval College from 1988 to 1989. He was commissioned a Sub Lieutenant in 1988, and was attached to the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla on his return from the United Kingdom, serving in the Dvora class fast patrol boats that became the front line weapon of the navy against the Sea Tigers as the Sri Lankan Civil War escalated. He served as an additional officer, second in command, officer in command, training officer and attended the Army Command and Staff College, before taking over command of the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla from 2007 to 2008, during the last stages of the war. From 2009 to 2011, he served as the Defence Advisor to at the Sri Lankan High Commission in New Delhi. In 2011, took command of SLNS Samudura.[2] The following year he was appointed as Naval Assistant to the Commander of the Navy and Head of Naval Research, serving in these positions until he was appointed Commandant of the Naval and Maritime Academy in 2014.[1] He was thereafter appointed Director General Training at Naval Headquarters.[3]

He was a member of the Delineation of Outer Continental Margin Project, Advisory group on effect of Sethusamudram Canal Project, Interim Tsunami Warning Committee. He also served as a member in the National Committee on Ocean Science under National Science Foundation of Sri Lanka.[1]

Jayarathna has been awarded the gallantry medals Rana Wickrama Padakkama twice and Rana Sura Padakkama; the service medals USP and Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal.[1]

• Sri Lanka Navy