Mohan Wijewickrama


Mohan Wijewickrama, RSP, VSV, USP is a Sri Lankan senior naval officer and a politician. He served as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy from 2001 to 2005. He was appointed Governor of North Eastern Province from 2006 to 2007 and Governor of Eastern Province from 2007 to 2015, while serving as acting Governor of Northern Province. He is the current Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan.

Education

Wijewickrama was educated at Thurstan College.

Naval career

After completing his education, he joined the Sri Lanka Navy on 1 August 1971. He had served as Deputy Commander, Western Naval Area ; Deputy Commander, Northern Naval Area ; Commander, Southern Naval Area ; Commander, Eastern Naval Area ; Commander, Northern Naval Area. From 2001 to 2005 he functioned as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy. He retired from the service in 2005 with the rank of Rear Admiral, when he was overlooked for the position of the Commander of the Navy by then president Chandrika Kumaratunga.

Political career

Wijewickrama was appointed as Governor of North Eastern Province on 21 January 2006, by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. With the de-merger of the two Provinces, he was appointed as the Governor of the Eastern Province in December 2006, the appointment he held till the election defeat of President Rajapaksa 2015. He was appointed as the co-chair for the District Development Committees for Ampare, Batticaloa and Trincomalee. Having supported President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa's presidential campaign in 2019, he was appointed Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan in December 2019 by President Rajapaksa and promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral.

Awards

His awards and decorations include the Medals; Rana Sura Padakkama, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya, Uttama Seva Padakkama, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, Riviresa Campaign Services Medal and Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal.

Family

Wijewickrama is married to Nishani and has a son and a daughter.