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H. A. Silva | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1936-01-04)4 January 1936 |
| Died | 24 November 1999(1999-11-24) (aged 63) |
| Allegiance |  Sri Lanka |
| Branch |  Sri Lanka Navy |
| Years of service | 1953–1991 |
| Rank |  Admiral |
| Commands | Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy |
| Relations | Major GeneralGratian Silva (Brother) |
AdmiralHikkaduwage Ananda Silva,VSV (4 January 1936 – 24 November 1999) was a Sri Lankan senior naval officer who was the 11thCommander of the Sri Lankan Navy.
Educated atS. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia, Silva excelled in sports and studies. He won several prizes and won colours for cricket, athletics, boxing and also was the Vice Captain of the College Boxing Team.[1] His brother was Major GeneralGratian Silva.
Silva joined the thenRoyal Ceylon Navy as anofficer cadet on 12 October 1953 at the age of 17. He was selected for officer training atBritannia Royal Naval College inDartmouth and graduate in 1956 at the top of his batch. Subsequently as anacting sub lieutenant, he completed the Junior Naval Officers (Lieutenants) Course at theRoyal Naval College, Greenwich and attendedHMS Mercury and theRoyal Naval Engineering College for specialist training. He undertook his sea training on boardRoyal Navyaircraft carrierHMS Triumph (R16) in theMediterranean and theNorth Sea.[1]
On his return to Ceylon, he was promoted tolieutenant and served in several staff appointments at sea and on shore. AsLieutenant Commander, he attended theDefence Services Staff College,Wellington in 1972. Between 1975 and 1980, with the rank ofcommander he served as the Commanding Officer ofSLNS Gajabahu, SLNS Sanudra Devi and the shore establishments SLNS Tissa, SLNS Elara and SLNS Gemunu. Promoted tocaptain, he was appointed Naval Officer in Charge,Trincomalee. He also held appointment as Master of the Ceylon Shipping Corporation ship MV Lanka Kanthi. In 1981, he graduated from theNational Defence College,New Delhi.[1]
Silva was appointed Chief of Naval Staff with the rank ofcommodore on 1 June 1983. On 1 August 1986, he was promoted to the rank ofrear admiral and was appointedChief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy on 1 November 1986 he was appointed as the Navy Commander and was promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral on August 1, 1987. His tenure saw an increase in naval activity due to the escalation of theSri Lankan Civil War. In May - June 1987, the Sri Lankan Armed Forces launched theVadamarachchi Operation to defeat theLTTE in Jaffna. At the highlight of the operation, India intervened to pressure the Sri Lanka Government to stop the offensive. The Indian government supported a flotilla of boats that sailed from Tamil Nadu, claiming to bring relief supplies, which the Sri Lankan Navy forced to turn back. India then responded with an air drop of 22 tons of humanitarian relief supplies violating Sri Lankan sovereign airspace withOperation Poomalai. Indian forces landed in Sri Lanka on July 29 with the signing of theIndo-Sri-Lankan accord. Silva retired on 31 October 1991 and was promoted to the rank of full admiral. He was succeeded byClancy Fernando.[2][1]
During his long career in the navy he received theVishista Seva Vibhushanaya, theCeylon Armed Services Long Service Medal,Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal,Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal,Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration Medal,President's Inauguration Medal and theVadamarachchi Operation Medal.[1]
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy 1986-1991 | Succeeded by |
Ceylon Naval Volunteer Force Sri Lanka Navy |  | |