Commodore Rohan Joseph joined the Sri Lanka Navy on 22nd October 1994 as an Officer Cadet of the 12th Intake, General Sir John Kothelawala Defence University (KDU). During his 30- year naval career, he has held important Staff and Command appointments. Some of the key appointments he held include; Commanding Officer and Officer-in-Command of ships and craft, Deputy Director Training (Sri Lanka Coast Guard), Deputy Director Naval Research Wing, Naval Assistant to the Commander of the Navy, Secretary to the Chief of Defence Staff, and Defence Adviser of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Delhi, India, prior taking up the appointment as the Commandant, Naval and Maritime Academy.
He has completed his sub-specialization in Sri Lanka (first in order of merit), specialized in Navigation and Direction (Pakistan), Junior Naval Staff Course at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (first in order of merit), Staff Course at the Naval Command College, PLA Navy (China), and Naval Command Course at the U.S. Naval War College (USNWC).
He was selected as the ‘Honour Graduate’ in the International Maritime Officers Course conducted by the U.S. Coast Guard and remains the first Sri Lankan naval officer to achieve this honour. Commodore Joseph also won the Batemans’ International Essay Award prize, which is considered as one of the prestigious writing awards at the USNWC, and remains the only Sri Lankan naval officer to win this award at the USNWC to date.
Commodore Joseph is an alumni of the USNWC and serves as an honorary fellow at the Institute of National Security Studies (INSS), the premiere National Security Think Tank of Sri Lanka.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Conflict and Peace Studies from the University of Colombo, a Diploma in Security and Strategic Studies (USA), and a diploma in Diplomacy & World Affairs (Distinction Pass).
Commodore Joseph has been invited to speak at several local and international forums as a guest speaker, expert panelist, and regional specialist on maritime security and Indo-Pacific affairs.
His research interests include; peace and conflict studies, maritime security and strategy, international relations, and regional affairs.
He has also published several articles in local and international journals and magazines as well.
Medals that he has received include a gallantry medal (Ranasura Padakkama-RSP) for the act of bravery in the face of the enemy, Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP-medal) for the valuable service and devotion to duty marked by exceptional ability, merit, exemplary and unblemished record of moral and military conduct.
Commodore Joseph is a recipient of seven (07) ‘Letters of Commendation’ from the Commanders of the Sri Lanka Navy for his exemplary performances.
He is married to Mrs. Sonali Edirisinghe and blessed with two sons ‘Venuka’ and ‘Tharuka’.
