| Thisara Samarasinghe | |
|---|---|
| Born | 16 July 1954 |
| Allegiance | Sri Lanka |
| Service/branch | Sri Lanka Navy |
| Years of service | 1974 - 2011 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Unit | 4th Fast Attack Flotilla |
| Commands held | Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy, Chief of Naval Staff |
| Battles/wars | Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Awards | Rana Sura Padakkama, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya, Uttama Seva Padakkama |
| Other work | Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia |
Admiral Thisara Sugeeshwara Gunasekara Samarasinghe, RSP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, DISS, MNI, SLN (16 July 1954 - ) is a Sri Lankan naval officer and diplomat. He was the former Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy from July 2009 to January 2011[1] and current Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia.[2]
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Born to Francis Samrasinghe a civil servant and Umawathie Samarasinghe a teacher, he was educated at the prestigious Royal College Colombo where he was a Senior Prefect, Regimental Sergeant Major of the Cadet Corps and won colours at Athletics. He joined the Sri Lanka Navy after completing school in 1974 as an Officer Cadet. He won the Sword of Honour of the 4th intake at the Naval & Maritime Academy and won the Best International Midshipman award at Britannia Royal Naval College in 1976 along with appointment as Divisional Sub Lieutenant. A specialist navigator, he graduated from Navigation and Direction School INS Venduruthy in India securing the 1st place in order of merit. He is a graduate of the Naval Staff College (Class 38) from Naval War College and of the National Defence College, New Delhi (45th Course) -2005.
He had served on board Short Patrol Craft, Long Patrol Craft and in command of one of the first two Dvora - Mk I Fast Attack Crafts in 1985 that would later make up the 4th Fast Attack Flotilla. Thereafter he served on board Fast Gun Boats of the 3rd Fast Gun Boats Squadron and the Surveillance Command Tender and Surveillance Command Ship (then the Flagship) of the 7th Surveillance Command Squadron. His shore commands included a naval base in the northern naval area and of two training establishments. He had also served in several Staff and Deputy Director/Director appointments at Naval Headquarters. In 1998 he was the Aide de Camp (ADC) to HRH Prince of Wales during his state visit to Sri Lanka for 50th Anniversary Independence Day Celebrations.
As a Commodore he was posted as the Deputy Area Commander of the Northern Naval Area, Eastern Naval Area and Southern Naval Area, before he was appointed Commander of the Southern Naval Area in 2002. He was appointed as the first Director, General Services in 2004 while concurrently holding the appointments of Director, Naval Projects & Plans; Naval Assistant to Commander of the Navy and Principal Staff Officer of the Joint Operations Headquarters under the Chief of Defence Staff.
A recipient of 5 commendation letters from four Commanders of the Navy, he has led Naval Delegations to India, Russia, Israel and USA on bilateral issues.
Promoted to Rear Admiral, in December 2005 he was appointed as Acting Commander Northern Naval Area, before he was appointed as the Director General Naval Operations in 2006 overseeing the anti arms smuggling operations that lead to the distraction of several LTTE gun running ships in the Indian Ocean. Thereafter in 2007 he served as Commander of the Eastern Naval Area during Eastern operations and in 2008, Commander of the Northern Naval Area during Northern offensive. In May 2009 he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Navy. On July 15, 2009 he was made commander of the navy and promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral. On January 12, 2011 he was promoted to the rank of Admiral and retired three days later.
Admiral Samarasinghe was awarded Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for gallantry in combat, the service medals Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV), Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP), the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal and other medals that include the Purna Bhumi Padakkama and the North and East Operations Medal.
In May 2011 he was appointed as Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Wasantha Karannagoda |
Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy July 15, 2009–January 15, 2011 |
Succeeded by D.W.A.S. Dissanayake |