A tribute to Admiral Clancy Fernando, whose strategic brilliance challenged the LTTE and reshaped the Sri Lanka Navy.
It was 1989, and I was serving at SLNS Tissa, the Naval Base in Trincomalee, responsible for land operations and managing the Habarana to Trincomalee Naval convoys. Midshipman Ravi Zoysa was my assistant. That year remains etched in my memory, because it was during this period that I came under the influence of a man whose leadership shaped an entire generation of naval officers in Sri Lanka. That man was Rear Admiral Clancy Fernando, the Eastern Naval Area Commander, a leader whose presence inspired confidence while commanding deep respect.
One day, Ravi carried out an extremely dangerous action without fully considering the consequences. This angered the Area Commander, and I accompanied Ravi to explain why I had delegated authority to him for a particular task. Rear Admiral Clancy listened carefully and then delivered a thirty minute lecture that ended with a sentence that has stayed with me throughout my career. He said, “Wijegunaratne, remember that you can delegate your authority to your junior, but responsibility always lies with you.” In that moment, he taught us the foundation of military leadership. It was a lesson that shaped how we understood responsibility, accountability, and command.
When Vice Admiral Clancy became the eleventh Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy on 01 November 1991, he inherited a young Navy facing an intense and evolving conflict. His batchmate, Rear Admiral F. N. Q. Wickramaratne, retired a few months later as Chief of Staff, and the new Chief of Staff, Rear Admiral Mohan Samara sekara, was only forty three years old. Admiral Fernando was fifty three. He assumed command during a critical period. The Indian Peacekeeping Force had just withdrawn from Sri Lanka, and the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi by an LTTE suicide bomber in May 1991 had intensified international scrutiny. The Sri Lankan Armed Forces continued to battle the LTTE across multiple fronts.
As the strategically vital Elephant Pass remained under the control of the Sri Lanka Army, the LTTE shifted to the Jaffna Lagoon to transport cadres and supplies by boat. The lagoon became their lifeline, connecting the peninsula to the Wanni mainland. Cutting this route required boldness, innovation, and a deep understanding of naval warfare. Admiral Clancy provided exactly that.
With brilliant strategic foresight, Admiral Clancy introduced a new idea. He established a Naval Detachment at Nagadevanthurai and deployed the Navy’s Inshore Patrol Craft to strike LTTE boats crossing the lagoon. This decision transformed the Navy’s effectiveness in the region. Night after night, we engaged the Sea Tigers and achieved remarkable success, destroying many LTTE craft. Long discussions were held between the Admiral and the young frontline officers, especially at our Karinagar camp, on how to reduce casualties and improve tactics. These discussions shaped new operational methods and strengthened the fighting spirit of the Navy.
The Admiral frequently visited the Karinagar Camp during weekends, observing the challenges faced by the officers and sailors. He recommissioned units, trained volunteer cadres, reduced the length of certain IPCs to make them harder targets, and improved their maneuverability. These innovations significantly enhanced the Navy’s combat effectiveness.
After becoming Commander of the Navy, Admiral Clancy made it a point to visit the war front regularly. He understood that real leadership meant standing beside the men who risked their lives at sea.
He also tackled the Navy’s limited long range firepower by loading a Main Battle Tank onto a Navy landing craft, demonstrating the use of armored firepower in maritime operations. This unconventional idea proved its worth during confrontations with LTTE boats.
Admiral Clancy was an “old school” officer. Having completed his basic training at the world renowned Britannia Royal Naval College in Dartmouth, United Kingdom in 1957, he carried with him the traditions, etiquette, and discipline of a bygone naval era. He preferred holding discussions over a drink in the Officers’ Mess rather than in a formal conference room. When I once asked him why, he replied, “Wijegunaratne, read about German Admiral Karl Donitz. Admiral Donitz said the best and most brilliant ideas of the German Navy came after two drinks.” It was a window into his leadership style, where camaraderie and open discussion brought out creative strategies.
As a communication specialist, Admiral Clancy introduced SINHALE, a secure cryptographic communication system. He designed the Navy President’s Colours and Staff. His knowledge of customs and etiquette was reflected in his book Customs and Etiquettes of the Services, which remains widely read across the Navy. His interest in naval history was evident through his scholarly writings, especially on Trincomalee, one of the world’s best natural harbours.
As junior officers, we learned countless lessons that were never written in any military manual. These lessons came from interacting with Admiral Clancy and with General Denzil Kobbekaduwa, who was one of his closest friends and another towering figure in Sri Lankan military history.
The LTTE soon recognized that the new Navy Commander was a thinker and that under his command the Navy was rapidly becoming stronger. They realized that he was transforming the maritime battle in their most critical supply route, the Jaffna Lagoon. The LTTE high command made a strategic decision at that point. They decided that Admiral Clancy had to be assassinated.
On the morning of 16 November 1992, the Admiral began his day like many others. He went to the Royal Colombo Golf Club at first light to play his usual nine holes. He had recently taken up golf and was determined to improve his game. He was an excellent tennis player and a skilled marksman. After golf, he returned to his official residence at Longdon Place, had a quick shower, put on his uniform, and left around 0830 for the Naval Headquarters.
He travelled in his official Benz car. With him were his Flag Lieutenant, Lieutenant Sadun Gunasekara, seated in the back, Chief Petty Officer Weerabahu in the front as escort, and his driver, Leading Transport Assistant Perera. Near the Tai Samudra Hotel on Galle Face Road, an LTTE suicide bomber on a motorcycle rammed the explosive laden vehicle into the Admiral’s car. The explosion killed the Admiral and all three personnel accompanying him.
Sri Lanka lost a brilliant Navy Commander that day. Admiral Clancy Fernando was feared by the LTTE for his strategic brilliance and respected by his officers for his unwavering leadership. The Navy lost a commander and teacher. Mrs. Monica Fernando lost a husband. His sons, Nishan and Dinuk, and daughter, Shasi, lost their father.
We who served under him continued fighting against the LTTE in his name. Under Admiral Mohan Samarasakera, who took command in January 1993, the Navy established the Special Boat Squadron, the elite commando unit of the Sri Lanka Navy. Concepts such as the Brown Water Navy and Asymmetric Naval Warfare were introduced. These developments were part of Admiral Clancy’s legacy, a legacy of a thinking Navy guided by innovation and courage.
Dear Sir, we missed you as we rose in rank. Had you lived, we would have visited you and shared two drinks with you, just as you always encouraged.
We miss you, Sir. It has been a long time, twenty seven years.
They shall not grow old,
As we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them,
Nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning,
We will remember them…
SOURCE :- SRI LANKA GUARDIAN
Dear Respected Sir,
It was an excellent article about a great leader. CPO Weerabahu was one of my relatives from the Wadugodapitiya family (my wife’s grandfather’s family).
Thank you, Sir, for sharing and preserving these valuable memories for us.
Rear Admiral (Retd.) Anil Bowatte
Dear Respected Sir,
It was an excellent article about a great leader. CPO Weerabahu was one of my relatives from the Wadugodapitiya family (my wife’s grandfather’s family).
Thank you, Sir, for sharing and preserving these valuable memories for us.