9th Intake Cadets of Sri Lanka Navy – By Ravindra Chandrasiri Wijegunaratne
45 years ago, on 1st Nov 1980, twelve youths selected from thousands applied boarded the night mail train bound to Trincomalee to commence their training as Cadets at Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, except one whose traveling was delayed by one week. This batch was the 9th Intake of Cadets to be trained at this prestigious Naval Academy located at Naval base, Trincomalee.
Now everyone in this batch, retired; except one who paid Supreme Sacrifice for protection of Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of our beloved country on 2nd June 1985 at Naval Detachment Kuchchuweli, late Lieutenant Gamini Fernando, outstanding sportsman from St Anne’s College, Kurunagala . So, everyone agreed to have our 45th Batch Get together at Naval Base, Trincomalee. As usual, Rohan was the Chief Organizer, Dushyantha helping on logistics. Chanka, Christie and Damitha traveled from Australia, USA and UK respectively to be with us. It was a great gathering; on 1st November 2025 evening with some of our charming ladies joining.
When all others travelled by road to Trincomalee, I could not joined them due to unforeseen circumstances and decided to travel to Trincomalee by night mail train on 31st October, the same way we travelled 45 years ago., and started type this article on my iPhone.
45 years ago, we travelled in unreserved 3rd class compartment as Cadets; but today I am traveling as a retired 4-star Admiral in a reserved first class air conditioned compartment !Our batch was consisted of Marine Engineering Cadet Mahesh Goonesekere, outstanding sportsman from St Thomas College, Mt Lavinia ( who had College colours in five sports), Executive Cadet Shirantha (Udawatta from Panadura Sri Sumangala College. Shirantha was the oldest in our batch. Executive Cadet Damitha Vitharana, outstanding Anandian athlete, who jumped 6feet2 inch when his hight was only 5 feet 10 inches and also a great 110 meter hurdler. He was the youngest in the batch. , Executive Cadet Rohan Amarasinghe from De Mazenod College Kadana, a Sri Lanka schools soccer player, Engineering Cadet Shiran Rathnayake from Isipatana College and handsome like a Hindi film star, Executive Cadet Rohana Prerera, outstanding soccer player from Kingswood College, Kandy, Executive Cadet Gamini Fernando, an outstanding Volleyball player from St Anne’s College Kurunagala, Engineering Cadet Thilak Senaratne from Panadura Sri Sumangala , Executive Cadet Chanaka Rupasinghe from Richmond College Galle , Logistics Cadet Roshan Fernando, Royalist and outstanding Public schools Athlete. Roshan’s elder brother, Shermal Fernando was in our senior batch, 8th intake. Logistics Cadet Dushantha Amaranayake, Nalandian Crickter and myself. Cadet Christie Jayawardena from St. Antony College , Wattala, lost his father ( who was a airline pilot) on the day we travelled to Trincomalee and joined us later.
I had no idea to join Navy. My intention was to join Army. But Roshan insisted at College that Navy is better than Army and I should come with him. However my school friend Sajith’s father was the Chief of Staff of the Navy at that time ( late Admiral Asoka De Silva – outstanding Navy Rugby player in 50s). What I knew from my friend Sajith was Navy officer training is very difficult !
We were received at Trincomalee railway station by smart burger Petty Officer, introduced himself as “Petty Officer T I Eanus and your Divisional Petty Officer” , clad in white uniform with white peak cap and shoes, tall, strong perfect body like a Greek God. His Commanding voice and crisp English surprised us and I start wondering if “ Petty Officer” is like this, how would be the Officers we are going meet in the Navy !
Vehicle waiting for us to carry from Trincomalee Railway station to Naval and Maritime Acadamy ( NMA) was a six-wheeler open truck. Our trip end up at “Gun Room”, but there were no guns.
When all others travelled by road to Trincomalee, I could not joined them due to unforeseen circumstances and decided to travel to Trincomalee by night mail train on 31st October, the same way we travelled 45 years ago., and started type this article on my iPhone.
45 years ago, we travelled in unreserved 3rd class compartment as Cadets; but today I am traveling as a retired 4-star Admiral in a reserved first class air conditioned compartment !Our batch was consisted of Marine Engineering Cadet Mahesh Goonesekere, outstanding sportsman from St Thomas College, Mt Lavinia ( who had College colours in five sports), Executive Cadet Shirantha (Udawatta from Panadura Sri Sumangala College. Shirantha was the oldest in our batch. Executive Cadet Damitha Vitharana, outstanding Anandian athlete, who jumped 6feet2 inch when his hight was only 5 feet 10 inches and also a great 110 meter hurdler. He was the youngest in the batch. , Executive Cadet Rohan Amarasinghe from De Mazenod College Kadana, a Sri Lanka schools soccer player, Engineering Cadet Shiran Rathnayake from Isipatana College and handsome like a Hindi film star, Executive Cadet Rohana Prerera, outstanding soccer player from Kingswood College, Kandy, Executive Cadet Gamini Fernando, an outstanding Volleyball player from St Anne’s College Kurunagala, Engineering Cadet Thilak Senaratne from Panadura Sri Sumangala , Executive Cadet Chanaka Rupasinghe from Richmond College Galle , Logistics Cadet Roshan Fernando, Royalist and outstanding Public schools Athlete. Roshan’s elder brother, Shermal Fernando was in our senior batch, 8th intake. Logistics Cadet Dushantha Amaranayake, Nalandian Crickter and myself. Cadet Christie Jayawardena from St. Antony College , Wattala, lost his father ( who was a airline pilot) on the day we travelled to Trincomalee and joined us later.
I had no idea to join Navy. My intention was to join Army. But Roshan insisted at College that Navy is better than Army and I should come with him. However my school friend Sajith’s father was the Chief of Staff of the Navy at that time ( late Admiral Asoka De Silva – outstanding Navy Rugby player in 50s). What I knew from my friend Sajith was Navy officer training is very difficult !
We were received at Trincomalee railway station by smart burger Petty Officer, introduced himself as “Petty Officer T I Eanus and your Divisional Petty Officer” , clad in white uniform with white peak cap and shoes, tall, strong perfect body like a Greek God. His Commanding voice and crisp English surprised us and I start wondering if “ Petty Officer” is like this, how would be the Officers we are going meet in the Navy !
Vehicle waiting for us to carry from Trincomalee Railway station to Naval and Maritime Acadamy ( NMA) was a six-wheeler open truck. Our trip end up at “Gun Room”, but there were no guns.
Petty officer Eanus started teaching us the “Naval terms”. Gun Room is junior officers Mess. Dinner in Navy known as Supper. Lunch is known as Dinner ! Left side is known as port side. Right side known as Starboard side. Toilets known as heads ! What ? somebody asked. Toilets know as heads ! From tomorrow your are not going to toilet ; you go to heads to shit ! Understood! Petty officer Eanus said.
Yes Sir!
Another caution! You do not say “ Yes Sir! “ in the Navy! That is Army ! We say “ Aye aye Sir ! “ we shouted Aye aye Sir! Another caution ! You do not say ‘Sir’ to a Petty Officer. You say Sir only to officers ! So, when I give an order , you say “Aye aye Petty Officer ! “
This is utter chaos and confusion!
This is utter chaos and confusion!
This is Navy ! Petty Officer ( Wireless Instructor) Tony I Eanus later in the service earned his Commission in Navy Volunteer Force and rosed to rank of Lieutenant Commander before his retirement.
I should say Navy’s food was delicious and plenty. Charlis was our civilian helper who brings our frood from Kitchen; in Navy know as Galley. Washing, cleaning and laying food was our task. “Mess men” were detailed from the batch. Everyone keen to be the mess man as all untouched leftover food belongs to them. Charlis helped us in this work. He was a kind man who lived outside Naval Base.
That evening our Assistant Divisional Officer came to Gun Room when we were just started to have our Supper using fork and spoon. He was a dashing Sub Lieutenant who has just returned from UK after completing his International Sub Lieutenant Course at Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth and HMNB Portsmouth with flying colours. His dedicated teaching starts with “ how to eat with fork and spoon – in Royal Navy way”. Bad enough, few of my batch mates had proper meal that night.
Sub Lieutenant Dushantha Chelliah was a outstanding cricketer and hockey player and Navy coloursman in both the sports. He was a great teacher and used to follow us in his newly purchased motorcycle when we are doing long runs. Thanks to his peruse , we became good runners soon. Dushantha Chelliah served Navy for 22 years and migrated to US on green card with his family.
Sub Lieutenant Dushantha Chelliah was a outstanding cricketer and hockey player and Navy coloursman in both the sports. He was a great teacher and used to follow us in his newly purchased motorcycle when we are doing long runs. Thanks to his peruse , we became good runners soon. Dushantha Chelliah served Navy for 22 years and migrated to US on green card with his family.
Our tough time was with MCPO ( G.I.) Rathnatunga and his assistant ( later gained Commission and raised up to Lieutenant Commander) Leading Seaman M B C A Mendis. Mr Rathnatunga ensured we are smart in drill. Being a Lance Sergeant in school Cadeting, I was selected to be Parade Commander most of the days. After few days I realized that Parade Commander is never inspected for uniform and polishing brass parts and boots. I conveniently neglected by polishing when other working hard in polishing at night and then volunteered to do duties of Parade Commander next morning at Parade ground and thereby escape from dress inspections, until I caught red-handed to Mr Rathnatunga ( Master Chief Petty Officer ( MCPO), the senior most rank for sailors also called as Mister). After one hour extra drill, Mr Rathnatunga’s advice to me was not repeat it and not to follow the easy way to go to the top !
He must have seen some this in my eyes ( blue eyes ??) and his advice helped me in my service career to reach to the pinnacle of Armed Fores of Sri Lanka.
Roshan did not like Navy and within two months he left Navy and joined Sri Lanka Police. He did extremely well in Police and STF and became a Senior Inspector General of Police prior retirement recently.
We met our Divisional officer at our class room in Nautical school. He was old Anandian, Navy Soccer Captain, Lieutenant (G) Sarath Weerasekara ( later Cabinet Minister). We loved him. His easy going approach and excellent orations both in Sinhala and English with glimpses of our history inspired us to work hard and love our country. His knowledge in Buddhism and history was outstanding. He enter in to politics on his retirement after serving as Chief of Staff of Navy and Director General Civil Defense Force and became a Member of Parliament and Minister for Public Security.
Lt (N) Daya Dharmapriya was our Navigation Instructor. Our foundation to be safe and good navigators in Sri Lankan and foreign waters laid at No. 2 class room in Nautical school by Lt Dharmapriya. He rose to Rear Admiral rank and was first Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guards.Our batch with Commandant / NOIC ( T) Captain Elikewela and Training TeamOur Physical Training team was led by MCPO ( PTI) P P R De Silva, outstanding Swimming and High board diving instructor, who ensured we all become good swimmers. Mahesh and Gamini were good swimmers, Mahesh being a coloursman in swimming at St Thomas Mt Lavinia. Later Mr Silva became an excellent Coach at Sugatadasa stadium and Otters swimming club, where he trained my son also. He passed away few years back. May his soul Rest In Peace.
Lt (N) Daya Dharmapriya was our Navigation Instructor. Our foundation to be safe and good navigators in Sri Lankan and foreign waters laid at No. 2 class room in Nautical school by Lt Dharmapriya. He rose to Rear Admiral rank and was first Director General of Sri Lanka Coast Guards.Our batch with Commandant / NOIC ( T) Captain Elikewela and Training TeamOur Physical Training team was led by MCPO ( PTI) P P R De Silva, outstanding Swimming and High board diving instructor, who ensured we all become good swimmers. Mahesh and Gamini were good swimmers, Mahesh being a coloursman in swimming at St Thomas Mt Lavinia. Later Mr Silva became an excellent Coach at Sugatadasa stadium and Otters swimming club, where he trained my son also. He passed away few years back. May his soul Rest In Peace.
Three months training in Academy followed with sea training at old Chinese Shanghai class gunboat SLNS Ranakamee, where we met another outstanding young officer, Sub Lieutenant J S K Colobage ,who has just returned from BRNC Dartmouth. He was super fit at that time. After sports in the evenings at Naval base grounds, we were challenged by S/Lt Colobage to run up to two-Fathom jetty, where our ship was berthed ( approx 5km run). When Rohan and Gamini taking that challenge seriously and others following them, Mahesh and myself stop halfway, change into walking and then have a ‘Plain tea’ at civilian canteen wayside. How much Rohan and Gamini tried, they could not beat S/Lt Colobage. He became 18th Commander of the Navy , Professor, Secretery to Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ambassador to Indonesia.
It is extremely sad the other officer who trained us during Cadet time sea training, S/Lt( then) Malawaraarachchi, outstanding swimmer from Ananda College, Colombo and first SLN officer to be awarded with Wira Wickrama Vibushanaya (WWV) – (highest Gallantry Medal awarded for living persons ) for leading brave seaborne landing at besieged Army Detachment Velvetiturai ( VVT) in 1986, sadly passed away few months ago due to sudden illness. May he attain Supreme Bliss of Nirwana.Mahesh was outstanding in studies and sports. He became best cadet of our batch and won all prizes other than two in our passing out parade. He received converted “Sword of Honours” for best Cadet of Intake 9. Damitha won the best Sportsman award for his athletics achievements and Gamini became best marksman. It’s irony that Gamini died in action in Kuchcuweli, Trincomalee district in 1985, first Sri Lanka Navy officer to died in action during Eelam War.
The present day best marksman award for Cadets presented by our batch in memory of Gamini.Passing out Parade ( PoP) of 9th Intake of Cadets at Naval and Maritime Academy Parade Ground in December 1981. Mahesh leading the batch. Chief Guest was Air Force Commander (then) Air Vice Marshal Dick Perera, VSV.
It is extremely sad the other officer who trained us during Cadet time sea training, S/Lt( then) Malawaraarachchi, outstanding swimmer from Ananda College, Colombo and first SLN officer to be awarded with Wira Wickrama Vibushanaya (WWV) – (highest Gallantry Medal awarded for living persons ) for leading brave seaborne landing at besieged Army Detachment Velvetiturai ( VVT) in 1986, sadly passed away few months ago due to sudden illness. May he attain Supreme Bliss of Nirwana.Mahesh was outstanding in studies and sports. He became best cadet of our batch and won all prizes other than two in our passing out parade. He received converted “Sword of Honours” for best Cadet of Intake 9. Damitha won the best Sportsman award for his athletics achievements and Gamini became best marksman. It’s irony that Gamini died in action in Kuchcuweli, Trincomalee district in 1985, first Sri Lanka Navy officer to died in action during Eelam War.
The present day best marksman award for Cadets presented by our batch in memory of Gamini.Passing out Parade ( PoP) of 9th Intake of Cadets at Naval and Maritime Academy Parade Ground in December 1981. Mahesh leading the batch. Chief Guest was Air Force Commander (then) Air Vice Marshal Dick Perera, VSV.
45 years is long time.
When we look back 45 years out of 12, eleven were fortunate enough to survived in our 36- years long internal conflict, which ends up in 2009. All got married and with children ( so, the fear we had by getting exposed to Decca 110 radar waves whilst on punishment at Crow’s nest of old gun boat will get us infertile is a myth ! – however I can remember wearing more than three under-wears before climbing to Crows nest to protect our important anatomy of the body !
Out of twelve, four Damitha, Chanaka, Christie and Shiran opted to retire early and to migrated. All four were doing very well. Those who decided to remained till retirement age of 55 years, five became (two star) Rear Admirals ( Mahesh, Rohan, Rohana, Thilak, and Dushantha). Three headed their respective branches in the Navy, ( Mahesh and Thilak – Marine Engineering branch , Dushantha – Logistics branch).
Rohan has unbroken record of, first to marry, first child and first grand child of batch. Myself, second in order of merit as Cadet, from Executive branch, one week elder to Damitha retired last, as I was fortunate enough to serve in active service up-to 58 years of age as an Four star Admiral ( Chief of Defense Staff -highest position in the Sri Lanka Military ).
Rohan has unbroken record of, first to marry, first child and first grand child of batch. Myself, second in order of merit as Cadet, from Executive branch, one week elder to Damitha retired last, as I was fortunate enough to serve in active service up-to 58 years of age as an Four star Admiral ( Chief of Defense Staff -highest position in the Sri Lanka Military ).
If our batch has done well in the Navy, the credit should go to our instructors at NMA when we were Cadets , whom laid very strong foundation for our career.
I always remember the wise words of MCPO(G.I.) Rathnatunga at NMA Parade Square in 1980 – “Cadet Wijegunaratne! There are no shortcuts to top ! “
I wish good health, wealth and happiness to all 9th Intake officers and their families.
I always remember the wise words of MCPO(G.I.) Rathnatunga at NMA Parade Square in 1980 – “Cadet Wijegunaratne! There are no shortcuts to top ! “
I wish good health, wealth and happiness to all 9th Intake officers and their families.
