Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Nishantha Ulugetenne flanked by the Board of Management extended warm wishes to the retiring naval officer who is celebrating his 55th birthday today. Thereupon, Rear Admiral YN Jayarathne was accorded a Guard of Honour in accordance with naval traditions and fellow naval officers made their formal farewells to the outgoing senior officer appreciative of his service. Subsequently, he was sent off in a motorcade through the portals of Navy Headquarters amidst cheers.

Rear Admiral YN Jayarathne joined Sri Lanka Navy as an Officer Cadet of the 15th intake in 1986. His first appointment was to the Navy's elite 4th Fast Attack Flotilla (4 FAF) and over the rest of his career he associated with Fast Attack Craft as Officer-in-Command. The officer was hand-picked to be the Flotilla's Training Officer (1999-2000) and Training Commander (2006-2007) twice by the Command. Finally, he served as the Flotilla Commander in 2007-2008, contributing to make the 4 FAF a powerful offensive force.

Among other key appointments he held in his illustrious naval career, Commanding Officer of SLN ships, Deputy Director Naval Project & Plans, Acting Director Maritime Surveillance, Deputy Director Naval Operations, Acting Director Naval Research Wing, Defence Adviser to the Sri Lanka High Commission in New Delhi, Naval Assistant to the Commander of the Navy and Head of Naval Research Wing, Commandant Naval and Maritime Academy, Deputy Area Commander Northern Naval Area, Deputy Director General Sri Lanka Coast Guard, Deputy Area Commander Eastern Naval Area and Port Facility Security Officers of Trincomalee Port, Director Naval Training, Deputy Chief Hydrographer, Director General Training, Director General Operations, Joint Chief Hydrographer to the Government of Sri Lanka, Chief Hydrographer of the Navy, Commander Eastern Naval Area, Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy and Chief of Staff of the Navy, stood prominent.