<< Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage Commander of Sri Lanka Navy (Left) - Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano - Chief of Staff of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (Right)
Chief of Staff of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force, Admiral Katsutoshi Kawano, who is on a four-day official visit to Sri Lanka, called on Commander of the Navy, Vice Admiral Jayanath Colombage at the Naval Headquarters in Colombo on 11th June 2014. He was accorded a Guard of Honour and warmly received by the Commander of the Navy who introduced him to the members of the SLN Board of Management.
They held cordial discussions on matters of bilateral importance and exchanged mementos to mark the occasion.
Admiral Kawano had attended the National Defense Academy of Japan and graduated in 1977 with a degree in mechanical engineering. He had then joined the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force. He has also attended the MSDF Staff College and U.S. War College.
Admiral Kawano has served in a number of command and staff positions. He has commanded JDS Oyodo (DE-231) as well as Escort Division 3 and Escort Flotilla 3. In 2008, he took command of the Mine Warfare Force and became the Vice Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Council in 2010. One year later in 2011, he was made the Commander in Chief of the Self Defense Fleet. In 2012, he was promoted to the rank of Admiral and appointed as the Chief of Staff of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force.