Rear Admiral WHUP Hewage, WWV, RWP & Bar, RSP & Bar, USP, ndc, psc, MPhil (D&SS) Retd
| ප්රසන්න හේවගේ | |
|---|---|
 | |
| උපත | January 27, 1967 |
| පක්ෂපාතීත්වය |  Sri Lanka |
| සේවාව/ශාඛාව |  ශ්රී ලංකාව නාවික හමුදාව |
| සේවා කාලය | 1987-2022 |
| නිලය | 
|
| සේවා අංකය | NRX 0437 |
| දැරූ තනතුරු | Commander Southern Naval Area Director General Administration Director Naval Administration Director Naval Intelligence Deputy Area Commander Northern Naval Area Deputy Area Commander Southeastern Naval Command |
| සටන් / යුද්ධ | Sri Lankan Civil War Eelam War I (1983–1987) Eelam War II (1990–1995 Eelam War III (1995–2002) Eelam War IV (2006–2009) |
| සම්මාන | 3 x  Rana Sura Padakkama
 Northern Humanitarian Operations  Eastern Humanitarian Operations |
| වෙනත් වැඩ | Defence Advisor to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India |
Rear Admiral Prasanna Hewage is a highly decorated Naval officer and a distinguished military professional who rendered more than 35 years of impeccable service to the Sri Lanka Navy. His illustrious career, spanning from 1987 to his retirement in January 2022 at the rank of Rear Admiral, has been characterized by exceptional leadership, courage, discipline, strategic expertise, and an unwavering commitment to the security and interests of Sri Lanka.
Rear Admiral Hewage joined the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet of the 17th Intake on 23 November 1987. Following his comprehensive basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee, he progressed through a distinguished career encompassing operational command, naval administration, intelligence, maritime security, strategic planning, and international diplomacy.
Throughout his naval career, he held several key appointments, including Commander Southern Naval Area, Director General Administration, Director Naval Intelligence, Defence Advisor to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in India, Deputy Area Commander Northern Naval Area, Deputy Area Commander Southeastern Naval Command, and Director Naval Administration. These appointments entrusted him with significant responsibilities involving naval operations, personnel, administration, intelligence, national security, and international defence relations.
Commander Southern Naval Area
As Commander Southern Naval Area, Rear Admiral Hewage was responsible for the operational and administrative command of naval establishments, fighting ships and craft, and the training establishment in the Southern Province, comprising more than 5,000 officers and sailors. He also served in senior command positions in the Northern and Southeastern Naval Areas, overseeing multiple naval bases, personnel, ships, and craft.
Squadron Commander of the Fast Attack Craft Flotilla
A substantial part of his distinguished career was devoted to operational command. As Squadron Commander of the Fast Attack Craft Flotilla, he commanded fast attack craft in highly demanding operational environments and was actively engaged in challenging maritime operations. His exceptional courage and leadership during these operations earned him some of the highest military decorations for bravery and distinguished service.
Operating at the front lines of coastal defense, his leadership was instrumental in countering asymmetrical threats and securing vital sea lines of communication. Under his command, the flotilla executed high-speed littoral maneuvers and critical escort missions, consistently neutralizing adversary maneuvers under intense tactical pressure. His strategic foresight not only safeguarded national maritime borders but also shaped the operational doctrines of the navy's premier offensive power, cementing his legacy as a pivotal figure in the nation's naval history.
Beyond his battlefield achievements, his career transitioned into high-level strategic command and institutional governance, where he applied his extensive combat experience to modernize the navy's operational capabilities. As a senior officer, he spearheaded comprehensive training reforms and fleet development initiatives, ensuring that the lessons forged in the waters of the civil war were institutionalized for future generations of naval officers. His profound integrity, strategic acumen, and decades of unblemished service have left an indelible mark on the Sri Lanka Navy, defining a standard of military excellence and commitment to national security that continues to inspire the fleet today.
Early life and Education
Rear Admiral Prasanna Hewage was born on 27 January 1967 and received his formal academic education at Nalanda College, Colombo, Sri Lanka, which he considers his alma mater. Following the completion of his school education, he embarked on his military career by joining the Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet of the 17th Intake in 1987. He subsequently completed two years of comprehensive basic training at the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee, followed by the Sub Lieutenant Technical Course. His commitment to continuous professional education later led him to undertake specialized studies in Anti-Submarine Warfare in India, Defence Services Command and Staff Studies in Sri Lanka, and the National Defence Course in New Delhi, building a strong academic foundation in defence strategy, national security, strategic management, and military affairs.
Medals and Awards
His outstanding service has been recognized through numerous national and military decorations, including the Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya, Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Rana Sura Padakkama, Uththama Seva Padakkama, Videsha Seva Padakkama, as well as several humanitarian operation, campaign service, long-service, and commemorative medals. He was also recommended for the Vishishta Sewa Vibhushana (VSV) in 2020.
He was awarded the prestigious Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya (WWV) for his courageous decision to rescue 15 hostages aboard MV Liverpool despite the extreme risks involved. He was subsequently awarded the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) twice and the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) three times in recognition of his bravery and distinguished conduct during his naval career. These achievements reflect his exceptional capabilities in operational leadership, crisis decision-making, maritime security operations, mission planning, risk assessment, and command under high-pressure and hostile conditions.
His badges include: Fast Attack Craft (FAC) Squadron Pin, Surface Warfare Badge, Commendation Badge, Naval Intelligent Badge and the Qualified in Command and Staff Course Badge.
With a career spanning more than three decades, Rear Admiral Prasanna Hewage has established himself as a Highly Decorated Naval Officer, accomplished military leader, strategic thinker, and experienced defence professional. His extensive experience in naval command, maritime operations, intelligence, administration, diplomacy, strategic management, and national security reflects a lifelong commitment to serving Sri Lanka.
His legacy is defined by courage in the face of adversity, decisive leadership, professional excellence, and unwavering dedication to duty and country. His distinguished record of service continues to stand as a testament to a career dedicated to the Sri Lanka Navy and the security and wellbeing of the nation.
Professional Expertise and Maritime Intelligence
His professional expertise encompasses operational and strategic management, leadership management, performance management, human resource management, personnel and general administration, disciplinary management, security management, risk management, intelligence management, maritime operations, underwater security operations, and harbor defence systems.
Rear Admiral Hewage has also pursued extensive professional and academic education. He successfully completed the National Defence Course at the College of Defence Management in India, the Defence Services Command and Staff Course in Sri Lanka, and obtained an MPhil in Defence and Strategic Studies from the University of Madras. His professional development also includes studies and training in diplomacy, international relations, security cooperation, counter-terrorism, leadership, human resources, military technology, and specialized naval operations.
Defence Advisor to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in New Delhi
From 2015 to 2018, Rear Admiral Hewage served as Defence Advisor to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner in New Delhi. In this important diplomatic appointment, he was responsible for defence-related matters, interactions with the Indian Armed Forces, maritime boundary discussions, training and development requirements, and the coordination of official visits and engagements between Sri Lanka and India.
Contributions to the COVID-19 pandemic and National Security
His contribution to national security extended beyond conventional naval operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he served as a Task Force Commander responsible for preventing the spread of the virus in several Export Processing Zones and subsequently led a Special Task Group tasked with controlling the outbreak within the Naval Complex at Welisara. As Commander Southern Naval Area, he also directed successful operations that resulted in the seizure of 219 kg of heroin, contributing significantly to maritime security and the protection of Sri Lanka's inland waters.
https://oldnews.navy.lk/eventnews/2021/04/27/202104271930/
https://news.coastguard.gov.lk/news/2022/01/04/2022010420003/#prettyPhoto[gallery1]/4/
https://oldnews.navy.lk/eventnews/2021/12/31/202112311540/
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