The term of Chief of Defence Staff Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne has been extended till December 31, 2019, by President Maithripala Sirisena with effect from today.

The Admiral who was appointed as the CDS on August 22, 2017, was due to retire on August 22, 2019, on completion of his first two-year tenure. He was the Commander of the Navy from July 11, 2015, to August 22, 2017, prior to being appointed as CDS.

The CDS carries four medals for gallantry including the Weerodhara Vibushanaya (WV). He is the founder of the Special Boats Squadron (SBS) of the Sri Lanka Navy and the Naval Commando Unit. (Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)