Captain Nilanga Sampath Bandara Dharmarathne received his school education from Mayurapada National School, Mawanalle from 1983 to 1997. During his academic career, he held leading positions in the school scouting team, environmental pioneers, Red Cross Society, leader of the debating team, senior prefect, and the head prefect in 1996. Upon completion of his school education, he joined the Naval and Maritime Academy, Trincomalee as an Officer Cadet in 1998 to the 30th Intake and graduated in 2000. He followed the Sub Lieutenant Technical Course in Indian Naval Training Base INS Venduruthy, Kochin, India in 2003/2004 and specialized in the Lieutenant at Arms (Long Provost) Course in Indian Naval Base INS Kunjali, Mumbai, India in 2007/2008.
He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Science in Management from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University in 2011/2013. He completed Staff College at the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College, along with the Executive Diploma in Strategic and Defense Studies at the National Defense University Malaysia in 2015/2016. Additionally, he earned a Master’s degree in Defense Analysis (Special Operations and Irregular Warfare) from the Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, California, United States in the academic year 2021/2023. He was also honored to receive the award for outstanding thesis publisher at the graduation ceremony in March 2023.
Captain Nilanga Dharmarathne was awarded the gallantry medal Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for his bravery in action in front of the enemy destroying LTTE attack craft at sea. He was also awarded Uththama Seva Padakkama for unblemished character in the SL Navy, the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service medal, East Humanitarian Operation Medal, North Humanitarian Operation Medal and Clasp, North Humanitarian Operation Medal, North and East Operation Medal Clasp 1, North and East Operation Medal, the Poorna Bhumi Padakkama, the Seva Padakkama and the Sewabhimani Padakkama.
Captain Nilanga Dharmarathne has been personally commended three times by the Commander of the Navy for successfully intercepting illicit drugs being smuggled at sea during SLN maritime operations in the Indian Ocean Region. With an unblemished naval career spanning 25 years, the Captain has served as Commanding Officer and Executive Officer onboard ships and craft, as well as held many responsible staff officer appointments at the Naval Headquarters in various capacities.
During his service at sea, he has worked as an additional officer on a Fast Gun Boat, Officer in Command on Fast Attack Craft, Commanding Officer of SLNS Mihikatha, and Executive Officer of Fast Missile Vessel SLNS Suranimila. The officer also served as the Assistant Provost Marshal of the North Central Naval Command, Assistant Media Co-Coordinator, and Senior Staff Officer of Foreign Co-operation in Navy Headquarters Sri Lanka. In addition, he was the Command Operation Officer in the operations departments of the North Central Naval Command.He is married to Mrs. KMCK Dharmarathne and blessed with two daughters Amoda and Adhithya.
