Mr. George Chen

Senior Advisor & Business Partner

Mr. George Chen is a graduate from the National Taiwan University, with a Master?s degree in Marine Science. He carries over 25 years of experience in the Fishing Industry. Mr. Chen has specialized in the fields of Oil (Off-shore) Bunkering / Logistic services & Tuna Assessment programmes in various countries in the Indian Ocean Region including Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Oman, Yemen, Seychelles, and Mauritius.

During his chequered career in the field of Maritime industry, he has held very senior appointments in the past such as;

• Managing Director of Sea Grand Pte Ltd, Singapore (1989 -2003)
• Managing Director of Mynamar Sea Global Co. Ltd, Union of Myanmar (1989 – 1998)
• Director Sea Global Co. Ltd, Indonesia (1995 – 1998)
• Chief Executive Officer of ABC Gold (Pvt) Ltd. Karachi, Pakistan (2006 – 2010)

Presently, Mr.George Chen holds the appointments in overseas establishments as;

• Chief Executive Officer – Atlantic Resources Co. Ltd, Macau
• Chief Executive Officer – Eastward Exim & Shipping Pte Ltd, Singapore.

He has fortified and supplemented the strength of Avant Garde Maritime Services as a Senior Advisor and Business Partner, and is continuously involved in the business operational activities of the AGMS.

Major Nissanka Senadhipath

Chairman  

Major Nissanka Senadhipathi was commissioned in the Sri Lanka Army and graduated from the Pakistan Military Academy as the first direct enlisted officer to the Commando Regiment. He qualified as a paratrooper and during a career spanning twelve years in the Sri Lanka Army he held important appointments of Officer Instructor ? Military Academy, Chief Instructor ? Military Sniper Training School, Brigade Major ? Air Mobile Brigade, and Chief Security Officer ? Ministry of Defence and the Sri Lanka Army Headquarters at the height of the LTTE terrorism.

He was also a member of the Anti Hijack and Hostage Release Unit of the Commando Regiment and deployed at the Colombo international airport. His dedication and commitment to the duties of the Commando Regiment was recognized by the authorities when he was selected to serve as the Personal Bodyguard to His Excellency the President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka.

Consequent to the Indo-Sri Lanka pact in 1987, Major Nissanka Senadhipathi had the distinction of serving as the Personal Bodyguard to Lt. Gen. A.S. Kalkut, Commander of the Indian Peace Keeping Force, during his tenure of command.

Mr. Manjula Yapa

Managing Director 

Mr. Manjula Yapa is a Director at AGMS and the Managing Director of Avant Garde Security Services (Pvt) Limited. He Joined the Police in November 1989 as a Sub Inspector and retired as a Chief Inspector in 2001. During his tenure in the Department of the Police he served as OIC (Special Branch). He also served in North & East during the height of terrorism and ethnic violence in the country. He followed courses at various Police Training Colleges and Army training centres in Sri Lanka. Eventually, he was an Officer in Charge at Special Branch Unit of the Police directly under the Inspector General of Police.

During his tenure of service in the police, he was assigned in to various designations across Central Province, North Western Province, and Eastern Province of Sri Lanka.

After retirement from the Police, Mr. Manjula Yapa joined Avant Garde Security Services (Pvt) Ltd as an Operation Manager. Later he was promoted as General Manager and finally assumed duties as Managing Director. He is totally responsible for all security operations and related administration island-wide.

Rear Admiral Daya Dharmapriya

RSP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc, MRIN, MNI
Head of Department, Fishing Vessel Protection Operations

Rear Admiral Dharmapriya served in the Sri Lanka Navy for over 35 years before retiring in 2006. Thereafter, he served in the Sri Lanka Ports Authority as the advisor on Maritime Affairs. He was later entrusted with the responsibility of forming the Sri Lanka Coastguard, and he successfully set it up in 2008.. He was the first Director General of the Sri Lank Coastguard. He retired from the Sri Lanka Coastguard in 2011 and is now the General Manager, Overseas Operations and Head of Fishing Vessels Protection Operations at Avant Maritime Services (Pvt) Ltd.

Whilst in the Navy, he followed the Sub Lieutenants Technical Course in 1974 and completed Navigation Specialization Course in 1979 in India, obtaining a 1st class grading. In 1987 he graduated from the Naval Staff College at Naval War College, New port , USA with a distinction and has completed the Executive Course at Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies, Hawaii, USA in 1999. Rear Admiral Dharmapriya has completed National Defence College in New Delhi, India in 2003.

Major General VR Silva

RSP VSV USP ndu IG
Head of Department, Agreements, FSA, Air/Sea Transportation of Weapons

Major General VR Silva (Rtd) RSP VSV USP ndu IG is functioning as Head of Department, Agreements, FSA, Air/Sea Transportation of Weapons as at present. He has Thirty Five years of service in the Regular Force of Sri Lanka Army; has served in all parts of the country in different capacities, particularly in the North and East in combating of terrorism since 1978 until the completion of humanitarian operations in May 2009.

Major General VR Silva formed the nucleus of present Commando Regiment as a subaltern way back in 1978 and amongst the first three officers to qualify as a commando officer. Led the first strike troop of Commandos from 4th Regiment SLA to be deployed on Anti Terrorist Operations in Jaffna peninsula in 1979 directly under the then Coordinating Officer late General TI Weeratunge.

He is a graduate of the prestigious Military Institute of National Defence University-Beijin, Peoples Republic of China. He obtained his Diploma in Security and International Studies at Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies- Hawaii in the United States; also qualified as an Instructor/Staff Officer at School of Artillery – Maharashtra, India.

On his retirement from the Regular Force of SL Army, he assumed duties as Commissioner General Prisons and served as the Head of Prison Department for Two and Half Years. His new innovations of establishments of Juvenile Offenders Training Centre at Ambepussa and Rehabilitation Centre for Convicted Mothers who are with infants, outside prison premises at Kalutara are some of the rehabilitation work, which had not been there before.

Under his supervision department has carried out responsibilities well.

Rear Admiral Laxman Illangakoon

Rear Admiral Lakshman T.B. Illangakoon, retired from Sri Lanka Navy as Commander Eastern Naval Area, in 2013 after 33 years of service. He Joined SLN in 1980 and after basic training in Naval Academy, Tricomalee underwent one year Technical training in India. He followed training courses in Intelligence with US Navy and attended many other training courses and workshops in Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan, Italy and USA.

He’s an alumnus of Dharmaraja College,Kandy, Applied Science Faculty of Sri Jayawardhanapura University, National Defence University of Pakistan, Kothalawala Defence University in Sri Lanka, National Defence University (NDU) Washington D.C. Currently he is pursuing a Ph.D at Kotelwala Defence University.

He also holds two Masters of Science from Pakistan National Defence University & Kothalawala Defence University of Sri Lanka and is a distinguished graduate of Naval War College R.I, USA, graduating top of the class.

During his illustrious Naval career, he held various fleet appointments and had the distinction of being commanding officer of many different classes of SLN Vessels.

Other than many regional commander appointments he was the principal staff officer at Naval Head Quarters on Planning, Intelligence and Administration in different periods. Whilst being Director Naval projects and Plans he was instrumental in establishing a Research & Development wing in the Navy which contributed immensely to saving millions of foreign currency by building many weapon systems indigenously. This performances there made Ministry of Defence to appoint him as a member of First Steering committee for Research & Development in Ministry of Defence. Incidentally he himself is a patent holder for Michanical device to protect Vessels at Sea from suicide attacks.

He was decorated three times by H.E the president of Sri Lanka for bravery in action with ‘Rana Soora Padakkama’ and in addition was awarded a variety of Medals during his career including ‘Vishishta Sewa Vibushanaya’ – The Highest Medal awarded to military officers in Sri Lanka.

He has published two books, one, a translation of Isaac Asimov, and a frequent contributor to professional publications and Newspapers. He is a keen Tennis, Squash, Table Tennis Player and currently is the president of the Kandy Tennis Club. Whilst in the Navy, he represented the Navy in Tennis and practical Pistol Shooting in many occasions, winning many tournaments.

Wing Commander Senarath Dissanayake

Head of Department, International Marketing

Wing Commander Senarath Dissanayake is presently serving as the Head of International Marketing Department. He is a retired senior Air Force Officer, having over 20 years of extensive experience in the Administrative/Regiment Branch of the Sri Lanka Air Force. After retiring from the Air Force he has been serving as the head of Security at the National Development Bank for 6 years. He is a holder of three diplomas in the fields of Quality Management conducted by Sri Lanka Standards Institute, Personnel Management at National Institute of Business Management & Human Rights at the Human Rights Institute of Sri Lanka. He has participated in Disaster Management training in Honolulu, Hawaii in the year 2001, whilst serving in the Sri Lanka Air Force. He has been trained on Business Continuity Planning (BCP) in Sri Lanka whilst serving in the NDB Bank. He was initially enlisted to Avant Garde Security Services Private Limited and has been serving as the Senior Manager Operations before being appointed as the Chief Executive Officer of AGMS in June 2011.

Commodore Sudharman Silva 

Head of Department, Offshore Operations and SM Deployment

Commodore Sudharman Silva is a retired flag rank Naval Officer, with 29 years of extensive experience in executive branch of the Sri Lanka Navy. He has 16 years of sea service. He has Commanded all types of naval vessels in Sri Lanka Navy including Fast Missile Vessels , Offshore Patrol Vessels, Gun Boats, Fast Passenger Carriers and Landing Support Tenders. He was the first Port Facility Security Officer at port of Galle and he was PFSO for port of Colombo too. He is an Anti-Submarine Warfare Specialist (ASW). He had served the Directorates of Administration, Personnel, Operations and Projects & Plans. He had served as Deputy Area Commander too. He was awarded with Utthama Sewa Padakkama (USP) and many commemoration and campaign medals. During his carrier, for the outstanding performances, he was commended by the Commander of the Navy in five occasions.

Commander Nanadana Diyabalanage

Head of Commercial Vessels Protection Department

Commander Nanadana Diyabalanage, WWV, is the Head of Commercial Vessel protection Department. He is a retired Naval Officer, having graduated from Indian Naval Communications College, INS Venduruthy, with over 20 years of extensive experience in maritime operations & He was the first hovercraft pilot of the Navy. He had been awarded with the Weera Wickrama Vibhushana medal as a recognition of the act of bravery in the face of enemy at sea.

DIG of Police R.W.M.C Ranawana

Former Commandant, Special Task Force, Sri Lanka Police
Head of Sea Marshal Training

Deputy Inspector General of Police R.W.M.C Ranawana (Rtd) is the Head of Sea Marshal Training. He joined the Sri Lanka Police in 1977 as a Sub Inspector of Police. He has rendered his service for 6 years in the Sri Lanka Police and 31 years in the Special Task Force in different capacities. He has served both in the Eastern and Northern provinces in combating terrorism from its inception to the very conclusion in May 2009. Throughout his 31 years of service in different capacities he has successfully carried out several operations against the LTTE in the Eastern province.

He attained professional qualifications in Sri Lanka and Overseas. The qualifications attained in Sri Lanka include Para Military Basic Training Course, Para Military Advanced Training Course, STF Basic Course conducted by SAS Instructors with collaboration of KMS Training Organization- UK, Advanced Anti-Terrorist Course, VIP Protection Course, Basic Intelligence Course, Leadership & Management Course and Logical Framework Approach Workshop.

The qualifications attained overseas include Diploma in Anti-Terrorist Course (SSG Cheart, Pakistan), Diplomatic Security Course (Federal Law Enforcement Training Center, Glynco, Georgia, USA), Intelligence Training Course (Indian Defense Authority, New Delhi, India) and Executive Course conducted by Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies (College of Security Studies, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA).

He retired from the Sri Lanka police after an illustrious career spanning over 3.5 decades and is now the Head of Sea Marshal Training at Avant Garde Maritime Services.

Major General Rasika Karunathilake (Rtd)

MPM, Msc (IS), Pgd (CR), Psc

Head of Avant Adventure Department

Major General Rasika Karunathilake (Rtd) served in the Sri Lanka Army for over 35 years and retired in the year 2019. Thereafter, he joined Avant Grade Maritime Services (AGMS) on 22 June 2020 and now performing as Head of the Department in Avant Adventure (Pvt) Ltd.

Major General Rasika Karunathilake has held a number of significant Command, Staff and Instructional appointments during his illustrious military career in the Army. He has successfully followed a number of local and overseas courses, including the Pass Staff College (Psc) course.  Further, he holds a master’s degree in Master of Public Management (MPM) from Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration, Master of Science in Information Security from Asia E University Malaysia, Diploma in Defence Management from the University of Indore in India and Conflict Resolution and Managerial Skill in Peace University Costar Rica.

Major General K M D A A de Silva (Retired) VSV USP

Born on 10^th January 1964 to a family of five, Major General K M D A A de Silva (Retired) VSV USP obtained his basic education in Richmond College, Galle and higher education from Ananda College, Colombo. The Senior Officer excelled at athletics, Junior Cadetting as well as Karate during his school days. Further, he shouldered the responsibility as the Senior Prefect of the school. Having completed the Advanced Level Examination in 1982, he joined the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet in 1985 and he was commissioned with Intake 22 on 24 July 1986 from Officer Training School at Mangla in Pakistan. Subsequently, Major General Silva followed Young Officers’ Course in Quetta, Pakistan in the same year. 

After successful completion of the officer training period, he joined the Sinha Regiment in the Sri Lanka Army, and during his tenure in the Sri Lanka Army, he held all important appointments in Sinha Regiment, and subsequently held career appointments such as Intelligence Officer, Directorate of Military Intelligence, Second-in-Command, Commanding Officer – 7^th Battalion, Sinha Regiment and 6^th Battalion, Sinha Regiment respectively.

During his career, he held a number of Command, Staff and Instructor appointments in the Army such as Commandant, Non-Commissioned Officers’ Training School, Commanding Officer – Headquarter Battalion of the Army Headquarters and Military Assistant to Chief of Defence Staff. The Senior Officer also held the appointment of Brigadier General Staff, Security Force Headquarters (Central), Project Officer, Security Force Headquarters (Wanni), Director Operations at Office of Chief of Defence Staff. Prior to his retirement, he was designated as Centre Commandant, Regimental Centre Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps.

The Senior Officer got the opportunity to follow a number of local and foreign courses, and among them Computer Simulated Command Post Exercise on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Operations and United Nations Instructor Course in Bangladesh, Young Officers Course, Junior Command Course, Counter  Insurgency  Jungle  Warfare Course and  Senior Command Course in India and Defence Management course at University of Indoor in India could be highlighted as a few important foreign courses that he has followed. Major General Athula Silva has also followed the Foundation Course in Human Resource Management at National Institute of Business Management with a Merit pass.

Further, the Senior Officer, who belonged to an Infantry Regiment, made a significant contribution to the war against terrorism as an Infantryman by playing a leading role in the battlefield, especially at the very peak of the Humanitarian Operation, and his acts of bravery had been commended by many in the Army. 

Major General Athula Silva is also a recipient of the medals of Vishishta Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV) for the exceptional, distinguished and loyal service rendered, and Utthama Seva Padakkama (USP) for the unblemished record of moral and military conduct.  

Major General K M D A A de Silva is married to Lieutenant Colonel D D C Walikala, who is a Senior Staff Officer serving at the Headquarters Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, and they are blessed with two children.

Subsequent to his retirement from the service, Major General K M D A A de Silva joined the Avant Group on 04 January 2021 and is looking after Administration and Logistics matters of Avant Guard Maritime Services Pvt Ltd.

Wing Commander Gamini De Silva (Rtd, SLAF)

Primary and secondary education at Royal College, Colombo 07 selected for Physical Science Degree at University of Colombo but opted to join Sri Lanka Air Force in the Directorate of Aeronautical Engineering and served 22 years of unblemished service to the motherland.   

Graduated from USAF, USA in Maintenance of Aircraft/Helicopters and Management of Technical Squadrons/Wings followed up with Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management, University of Wales, UK.

Served in the No 04 Bell Helicopters Squadron in Military & VIP/VVIP operations then sent to Chengdu Aircraft Cooperation (CAC), China to train on maintain airworthiness of Supersonic Jet Fighter Aircrafts. One of the Key members in setting up of No 05 Fighter Jet Squadron for the Chinese built F7 Supersonic Aircrafts (Russian version of MIG 21). Further extensively trained on Airworthiness/Quality Assurance of both Civil & Military Aircraft/Helicopters, locally at Sri Lanka Standard Institution (SLSI – Diploma in Quality Management) as well as overseas with Indian Air Force, India and Civil Aviation Authority of UK for Airliners.

After early retirement from the SLAF joined the private sector, Canadian Invested BOI Manufacturing Company as Director/General Manager and served 10 years. During my tenure expanded the breadth & Depth of manufacturing lines of Industrial Natural Leather Gloves and Accessories from 13 to 65 styles to Canadian/USA markets. Attended Annual Sales Conference held in Canada for each year.

Then joined Capital Maharaja Group (CMG) and served 08 years. S-lon Lanka Pvt Ltd, main subsidiary company of CMG as Director Personnel and Administration of the PVC pipes & Fitting manufacturing plant in Sandalankawa and moved to AF Jones Lanka Pvt Ltd, production of Ceylon Tea for export markets as Factory Director where I managed to double the production from 225,000kgs to 470,000 kgs/month. With this achievement elevated to Director Operations at S-lon Factory, Sandalankawa overlooking raw material procurement, complete production process and Island wide distribution of S-lon brand to both local domestic markets and large scale projects.

Retired from the Private Sector after reaching 60 years of age and later joined Avant Garde Maritime Services in 2020 and actively involved in Air Movement Operation launched for Foreign Seafarer Crew Changes through Sri Lanka under Covid-19 pandemic in the world. Chartered leading airliners namely Qatar Airways, Air Asia and Maldivian Airlines to Mahinda Rajapakse International Airport (MRI), Mattala from December 2020 to November 2021 totaling 101 aircraft movements within 10.5 months and kept the Mattala Airport busy and alive.

Basketball Colours – Royal College, Sri Lanka Schools and Sri Lanka Airforce.

Chairman Basketball Sri Lanka Airforce and Vice President Sri Lanka Basketball Federation from 1995 to 2003. Chief de Mission, Sri Lanka U-23 Men’s Team for Asian Basketball Championship held in Doha, Qatar in year 2000.

Counting 40 years of experience, Government 22yrs (SLAF) & Private Sector 18yrs (Manufacturing) to-date.

Brig (Retd) N.K.Wadugodapitiya RSP psc

I am a Sri Lankan Army retired Brigadier, I was educated at Royal College Colombo 7. After following A/L in commerce stream, I joined the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet in year 1985. After successful completion of the Officer Cadet Academic Programme I was graduated at the Mangla Cantt Pakistan as a 2^nd Lieutenant and posted to the most oldest and reputed Regiment, Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment. I was engaged in different capacities of command including a Battalion during the era of high intensity and Counter Insurgency Operations in the North and East of Sri Lanka. Later commanded a Brigade during the final battle and finally held the Deputy Commandant at Highest Training Institute of the Sri Lanka Military by then, Defence Services Command and Staff College. At the retirement, I had an overall military of nearly 34 years of excellent service record during which I have actively contributed to the army and the motherland by holding all essential Command, Staff, Instructional and Administrative appointments at different levels in the Sri Lanka Army. I have followed number of overseas courses including Psychological Operation Course in USA, Managing Defence in Wider Security Aspects in UK, Young Officers’,Junior Command and Senior Command courses in India, Policy Planning, Implementation and  Evaluation programme in Open University of Malaysia and Skill Development of coordination with regards to intra agency operations in Mongolia.

I have followed number of local courses in Sri Lanka to name a few, Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resources at University of Colombo, Conflict Resolution Course of Costa Rica conducted at BCIS and Staff qualified officer at Staff College Sri lanka. 

Lieutenant Colonel Nilantha Jayaweera (Retd),  MBA (UK) PGDHRM (UK)

Retired Senior Officer from Commando Regiment with the expertise 25 years in Air Borne operations, Anti-Hijack and Hostage Rescue missions, VVIP protection duties, Infiltration and Penetration operations and all other Commando Skills. Trained under the experts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Jordan and USA. Experienced in Land and Maritime Security solutions for ten years. Consultant in Personality Development, Team building and Adventure sports. International BIZZ award winner for Quality Management in 2017 (Only Sri Lankan to be awarded with). Member of National Policy Development Committee for Civil Security at Ministry of Tertiary and Vocational Training.  Held the appointments of Senior Operation Manager (Commercial Vessels) Avant Garde Maritime Services, Assistant General Manager of Avant Security Services.