Fifty-seven serving and retired senior officers of the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force were awarded the Vishishta Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV) medal by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at a ceremony held at the Presidential Secretariat in Colombo on 30 September.
The recipients comprised 28 senior officers of the Army, 15 of the Air Force and 14 of the Navy. The medals were presented by the President in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Vice Admiral Damian Fernando, who assumed office as the 27th Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy on 1 July this year, was among the naval recipients. He was joined by Rear Admiral HRFM Tissera, Chief of Staff of the Navy; Rear Admiral PJB Marabe, Director General Health Services; Rear Admiral PV Ferdinandusz, Commander Northwestern Naval Area; and Rear Admiral GSD Weerasooriya, Commander Southeastern Naval Area.
Nine retired rear admirals also received the decoration: MDW Marapana, RACN Ratnayake, AAAR Abeysinghe, HHMP De Silva, HS Balasuriya, RR Kalubowila, CAP Anthony, CD Rajapaksha and PK Warnakulasooriya.
Addressing the ceremony, President Dissanayake said the recipients had made an exceptional contribution to the country and its people while remaining committed to their duties under all circumstances. He said they had continued to serve regardless of whether it was day or night, whether weather conditions were favourable or adverse, or whether their lives were at risk, and that the country needed a public service characterised by comparable dedication and accountability.
The Vishishta Seva Vibhushanaya is a military honour established by presidential proclamation and awarded to officers of the three armed forces who have completed at least 25 years of continuous service with a commendable record. Its conferment, forfeiture and restoration are governed by regulations issued by the President and published in the Gazette.
