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Sri Lanka Navy's Eastern Commander, Rear Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda assumed duties as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy on Thursday, September 01, 2005 as the 15th Commander. This appointment is indeed a great honour for all sportsmen.

Admiral Karannagoda was elected to the Swimming Union's Presidency in 2001 and then for the past four years he held that position through sheer admiration by the swimmers. In February of this year, after being elected for the fourth term in January 2005, resigned because of the more onerous national duties associated with the Tsunami devastation that ravaged the country on Boxing Day. The responsibilities assigned to Admiral Karannagoda by Her Excellency the President prevented him from being stationed in Colombo.

In the years of Admiral Karannagoda's Presidency remarkable achievements were accomplished by the Union. And to name some of the highlights: a comprehensive Meet Manager's Manual was published. With a view to seeking sponsorships, a well thought four-year 'Business Plan' was made available. In view of the many changes taking place in the swimming world he changed the name of the Union to Sri Lanka Aquatic Sports Union and left out the words National and Amateur! Admiral Karannagoda found that the Union's Constitution and Technical Rules were inconsistent with FINA and the Sports Law and published an all inclusive document to make the affairs of the Union more coherent and user friendly for the administration of the Aquatic sports.

None of the past Presidents since 1975 of the then Swimming Union had attempted such far reaching work for the improvement of aquatic sports. Admiral Karannagoda with aware of the need to have its swimming coaches developed and with the assistance of the American Swimming Coaches Association held two Coaching Certification projects in 2002 and 2004 at S.Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia and the University of Peradeniya. Some fifty-two local coaches received practical Certification for Levels 1 and 2 under the ASCA Certification Program. In 2004, the highly successful Residential Coaching Camp and Coaches Clinic saw hands-on methodologies is training for the first time in Sri Lanka.

Those swimmers who were coached are now the frontline swimmers breaking records at every Swimming Championships.

Another accomplishment that Admiral Karannagoda introduced was to combine all four disciplines of swimming and named it the Aquatic Nationals and got his Vice President, presently Colombo Swimming Club's President, Wyvill Scharenguival to do it was no easy task- not attempted before. Scharenguivel did a great job and in combining all four sports not only did it substantial lower the cost for the Union-it allowed the swimming patrons to view everything at one venue and at the same time! This remarkable success is now in into its fourth year.

Two previous Commanders of the Sri Lanka Navy were Presidents of the Swimming Union and they were the Late Vice Admirals Royce de Mel and Rajan Kadirgamar. Vice Admiral Karannagoda is the third Commander to be President. A proud record indeed for Swimming in Sri Lanka.

Vice Admiral Karannagoda is an unassuming and self-effacing sportsman and was never a show off. He was however a no-nonsense administrator and showed an unusual flair for fairness, transparency yet firm in dealing with the Executive Committee of the Union.

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