Instructor Lieutenant Commander Somasiri Devendra, an internationally respected maritime archaeologist and revered naval historian, passed away last week. Born on 17th April 1933 in Colombo, Devendra’s contributions to the Royal Ceylon Navy and the Sri Lanka Navy were monumental and long-lasting.
Commissioned into the Royal Ceylon Navy in February 1960 as an Instructor Lieutenant, he had earlier earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Ceylon (Peradeniya) in 1955, majoring in English, History, and Economics. His role was unique. He belonged to a select group of “Schoolleys” instructors recruited to teach English, History, Geography, and Mathematics to officer cadets.
His primary mission was to train cadets at the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA), where he taught English language and English history. By the time he retired in 1976, having completed 16 years of service, he had risen to the rank of Lieutenant Commander and served as the sixth Commandant of the NMA.
In 1975, as Commandant, Devendra trained the 4th intake of officer cadets, including two Maldivian cadets. This cohort, under the leadership of Admiral Thissara Samarasinghe, recently celebrated their Golden Jubilee in Trincomalee, with Devendra and his wife Dayadari attending the event.
Rear Admiral Rohan Joseph, the 40th Commandant of the NMA, also honored Lt Cdr Devendra and his wife shortly before the celebration, recognizing Devendra’s legacy as one of the Academy’s foundational leaders.
Devendra, alongside Instructor Commander M.S.G. Perera, was instrumental in establishing the NMA at the Trincomalee Naval Base in January 1967. The Academy was officially launched on 15th July 1967, laying the cornerstone for officer and sailor training in Sri Lanka.
After retiring from naval service, he ventured into the corporate world. He held prominent roles as Director of various companies, Founding Director of the Colombo Stock Exchange, Chairman of the Colombo Brokers’ Association, and served on the Chamber of Commerce Panel of Arbitrators.
From 1988 to 1990, he was appointed Director General (CEO) of the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall and the Centre for International Studies. Later, he served abroad as Registrar at the Institute of Technological Studies in Sharjah, UAE.
Devendra’s enduring passion was always naval history and maritime archaeology. In 1986, he was mobilised into the Sri Lanka Navy Volunteer Reserve to serve as Deputy Director of Administration and Welfare at Naval Headquarters. He was assigned to rewrite the Sri Lanka Navy Orders (SLNOs) and was also tasked by Admiral Asoka Silva to document the Navy’s history from 1937 to 1950.
He conducted extensive research under Admiral Ananda Silva until 1988, before relocating to Sydney, Australia, leaving his drafts with Navy Commander Clancy Fernando. Sadly, Fernando was assassinated by an LTTE suicide bomber in November 1992.
Devendra’s dedication persisted. Upon returning to Sri Lanka, Admiral Mohan Samarasekara encouraged him to complete his work. On 1st March 1995, Devendra published a comprehensive blue book on the Navy’s post-WWII development and its evolution into a Regular Force.
He never sought fame for his efforts. In the book’s foreword, he acknowledged the contributions of numerous naval officers, including Admiral Royce de Mel, Admiral Rajan Kadiragamar, Commander (C) E.P. Wickramasinghe, Captain V.T.D. Amaratunga, and Rear Admiral J. Jayasooriya.
Devendra also made remarkable strides in maritime archaeology. Starting in 1993, he contributed to the establishment of the Maritime Museum in Galle and worked on the Dutch shipwreck Avondster. His efforts inspired and educated SLN divers and sailors in maritime heritage.
He was awarded the Uruma Prasad Pranamaya (Guardian of the Heritage Award). His book, Record of Watercraft in Southern and Western Sri Lanka, stands as a scholarly cornerstone. His research papers and publications are widely accessible.
My association with him began in 2006 when I was Commander Southern Naval Area and deepened in 2015 upon my appointment as Commander of the Navy. Devendra was enthusiastic about publishing another book on the Navy. He quoted Sir Ukwatte Jayasundara: “We must have a Navy.”
Captain Rohan Joseph was assigned to assist with the project. Their teamwork led to the completion and launch of the book on 9th December 2015, Navy Day, commemorating the Navy’s 65th Anniversary.
Devendra dedicated that memoir “with respect and in gratitude to THE NAVY and to all the men and women who served past, present, and yet to come.”
To Madam Dayadari, his wife of over sixty years, and to Nalaka and Mihiri, we extend our deepest condolences. Sri Lanka salutes Instructor Lieutenant Commander Somasiri Devendra, our finest naval historian. May he attain the Supreme Bliss of Nirvana.
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