UK's First Sea Lord to visit Sri Lanka

Rashomi Silva

COLOMBO: Admiral Sir Jonathan Band, the First Sea Lord of the Royal Navy and the Commander-in-Chief fleet is scheduled to arrive here early next month on a courtesy visit, defence officials said.

Sir Jonathan who is also the Commander-in-Chief East Atlantic and the Commander of the Allied Naval Force for the North would be the first serving Royal Navy Commander to visit Sri Lanka after Lord Louis Mountbatten, the Last Viceroy of India.

The British Commander is visiting Sri Lanka on an invitation extended by former Sri Lankan Navy commander Daya Sandagiri, now the Chief of Defence Staff, during one of his official stays in the UK, the Navy spokesperson's office said.

During his visit, the First Sea Lord is scheduled to meet the Chief of Defence Staff, Service Chiefs and the Secretary of Defence, the Navy spokesman's office said.

Born in 1950, Sir Jonathan joined the Royal Navy in 1967. An alumni of Exter University, he received Naval training at BRNC Dartmouth and underwent fleet training in ships in the Far East.

His Command comprises all Royal Navy surface ships, submarines, Royal Marines, Naval Air stations and the Royal fleet auxiliary.

He had served throughout the world.

He was closely involved in the Falklands campaign.

Navy Spokesman D.K.P Dassanayake said the Navy annually sends its middle and higher level officials for training in the United Kingdom. Most of its senior officers have been trained in the UK during some stage in their career.