Branches & Ranks, Uniforms, Medals, Insignia
Defining the identity and excellence of the naval service through its distinct branches, ranks, and honorary traditions.
Branches / Ranks
Uniforms
Medals
Insignia
The Sri Lanka Navy is structured into specialized branches, each responsible for specific facets of naval operations and administration.
Executive Branch
The path to command is through the Executive Branch. Only sea-going officers of the Executive Branch can exercise command of ships...
Engineering Branch
SLN has a team of Mechanical / Marine Engineers whose primary role is maintenance and upkeep of varied and increasing fleet...
Medical Branch
Physical and mental health of Naval personnel is imperative for an efficient Navy...
Logistics Branch
Without good logistic support no war can be fought effectively...
Electrical & Electronic Engineering Branch
A warship is a mini-floating city with an integral power generation...
Band Branch
The Sri Lanka Navy Band caters to the musical requirement of the service as well as the public sector...
Hull Engineering Branch
The victory during a battle at sea is basically depended upon the operational capability of War Ships...
Naval Infantry Branch
A branch formed recently to augment the land operations capabilities of the SLN...
Information Technology Branch
The Information Technology Branch endeavors to support the Naval administrative functions...
Provost Branch
The Naval Provost branch of the Sri Lanka Navy is entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining discipline...
Legal Branch
The Legal Branch of the Sri Lanka Navy is charged with the task of advising the command on legal issues...
Commissioned Officers
Admiral of the Fleet
Admiral
Vice Admiral
Rear Admiral
Commodore
Captain
Commander
Lt Commander
Lieutenant
Sub Lieutenant
Midshipman
Non-Commissioned Ranks
Master Chief Petty Officer
Fleet Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer
Petty Officer
Leading Seaman
Able Seaman
Ordinary Seaman
Specialized trade badges worn by sailors indicating their specific qualification and role.
Quarter Master
Radar Plotter
Survey Recorder
Gunnery Rate
Under Water Weapon
Diver
Infantryman
Physical Training Instructor
Engineering Mechanic
Tradesman
Civil Eengineering
Hull Engineering
Transport Assistant
Electrical Mechanic
Radio Electronic Mechanic
Steward
Chef
Information Technology
Writer
Stores Assistant
Communicator
Medical Assistant
Musician
Commissioned Officers - Sri Lanka Army
Field Marshal
General
Lieutenant General
Major General
Brigadier
Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel
Major
Captain
Lieutenant
2ndLieutenant
Commissioned Officers - Sri Lanka Navy
Admiral Of the Fleet
Admiral
Vice Admiral
Rear Admiral
Commodore
Captain
Commander
Lieutenant Commander
Lieutenant
Sub Lieutenant
Midshipman
Commissioned Officers - Sri Lanka Air Force
Marshal of the Air Force
Air Chief Marshal
Air Marshal
Air Vice Marshal
Air Commodore
Group captain
Wing Commander
Squadron Leader
Flight Lieutenant
Flying Officer
Pilot Officer
Non-Commissioned Ranks - Sri Lanka Army
Warrant Officer Class I
Warrant Officer Class II
Staff Sergeant
Sergeant
Corporal
Lance Corporal
Private
Non-Commissioned Ranks - Sri Lanka Navy
Master Chief Petty Officer
Fleet Chief Petty Officer
Chief Petty Officer
Petty Officer
Leading Seaman
Able Seaman
Ordinary Seaman
Non-Commissioned Ranks - Sri Lanka Air Force
Master Warrant Officer
Warrant Officer
Flight Sergeant
Sergeant
Corporal
Leading Aircraftman
Aircraftman
Ceremonial White Dress - No 01
Occasions to Wear
- Guard of Honor
- When Call on
- When Waiting on
- Formal receiving, calling, attending, arrival / departure of
- Head of States
- Prime Ministers
- Accredited Diplomats
- Formal State/ Service Ceremonies/ Functions
- Attending Supreme/ High Court on duty
- Court Martial
- Ceremonial Parades
- As directed by C ofN or Competent authorities
Ceremonial White Dress - No 02
Occasions to Wear
- When Call on
- When Waiting on
- Formal State/ Service Ceremonies/ Functions
- Attending Supreme/ High Court on duty
- Court Martial
- As directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Working Dress White Dress - No 05
Occasions to Wear
- Daily wear (as per daily orders) preferably working under a roof
- Daytime Formal/ Informal service ceremonies/ functions as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
- When attending courts on duty as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
- When Call on/ Wait on/ Reporting
- Local or Foreign Visits/ Tours
- Informal
- Daily Wear
- When attending courts on duty
- Afternoon receptions
- Visiting commercial and industrial places
- Tours
Working Dress White Dress - No 5A
Occasions to Wear
- Formal Sate/ Service Ceremonies/ Functions as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Action Working Dress Blue Dress - No 06
Occasions to Wear
- Daily wear (as per daily orders) preferably at sea/ on field duties/ technical related work
- Service functions as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Sports Rig - No 09
Occasions to Wear
- Morning PT, Evening sports party, Organized sports events and PET
- Occasions other than above when directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Dress Camouflage Dress - No 11
Occasions to Wear
- Firings Practices/ Trainings/ Working Dress/ Duties and Special events as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Ceremonial White Dress - No 01
Occasions to Wear
- Guard of Honor
- When Call on
- When Waiting on
- Formal receiving, calling, attending, arrival / departure of
- Head of States
- Prime Ministers
- Accredited Diplomats
- Formal State/ Service Ceremonies/ Functions
- Attending Supreme/ High Court on duty
- Court Martial
- Ceremonial Parades and as directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
- When Officer of the Guard (OOG) boarding foreign Naval war ships
Ceremonial White Dress - No 02
Occasions to Wear
- When Call on
- When Waiting on
- Formal State/ Service Ceremonies/ Functions
- Attending Supreme/ High Court on duty
- Court Martial
- As directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Working Dress White Dress - No 05
Occasions to Wear
- Daily wear (as per daily orders) preferably working under a roof
- Daytime Formal/ Informal service ceremonies/ functions as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
- When attending courts on duty as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
- When Call on/ Wait on/ Reporting
- Local or Foreign Visits/ Tours
Working Dress White Dress - No 5A
Occasions to Wear
- Formal Sate/ Service Ceremonies/ Functions as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Action Working Dress Blue Dress - No 06
Occasions to Wear
- Daily wear (as per daily orders) preferably at sea/ on field duties/ technical related work
- Service functions as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Sports Rig - No 09
Occasions to Wear
- Morning PT, Evening sports party, Organized sports events and PET
- Occasions other than above when directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Maternity Dress - No 10
Occasions to Wear
- During the period of pregnancy
Dress Camouflage Dress - No 11
Occasions to Wear
- Firings Practices/ Trainings/ Working Dress/ Duties and Special events as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Ceremonial White Dress - No 01
Occasions to Wear
- Formal State / Service Ceremonies / Function as directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
- Guard of honour / Parades
Ceremonial White Dress - No 02
Occasions to Wear
- When Call on
- When Waiting on
- Formal State/ Service Ceremonies/ Functions
- Attending Supreme/ High Court on duty
- Court Martial
- As directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
Working Dress White Dress - No 05
Occasions to Wear
- Daily wear (as per daily orders) preferably working under a roof
- Daytime formal/ informal service ceremonies functions as directed by C of N or competent authorities
- When attending courts on duty as directed by C of N or competent authorities
- When call on/ Wait on/ Reporting
- Local or foreign visits/ Tours
Action Working Dress Blue Dress - No 06
Occasions to Wear
- Daily wear (as per daily orders) preferably at sea on field duties/ Technical related work
- Service functions as directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
Sports Rig - No 09
Occasions to Wear
- Morning PT, Evening sports party, Organized Sports events and PET
- Occasions other than above when directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
Dress Camouflage Dress - No 11
Occasions to Wear
- Firings Practices/ Trainings/ Working Dress/ Duties and Special events as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Ceremonial White Dress - No 01
Occasions to Wear
- When Call on
- When Waiting on
- Formal State/ Service Ceremonies/ Functions
- Attending Supreme/ High Court on duty
- Court Martial
- As directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
Working Dress White Dress - No 05
Occasions to Wear
- Daily wear (as per daily orders) preferably working under a roof
- Daytime Formal / Informal service ceremonies / functions as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
- When attending courts on duty as directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
- When Call on / Wait on / Reporting
- Local or Foreign Visits / Tours
Action Working Dress Blue Dress - No 06
Occasions to Wear
- Daily wear (as per daily orders) preferably at sea / on field duties / technical related work
- Service functions as directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
Sports Rig - No 09
Occasions to Wear
- Morning PT, Evening sports party, Organized Sports events and PET
- Occasions other than above when directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
Maternity Dress - No 10
Occasions to Wear
- During the period of pregnancy
Dress Camouflage - Dress No 11
Occasions to Wear
- Firings Practices/ Trainings/ Working Dress/ Duties and Special events as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Ceremonial White Drill Order - Dress No 01
Occasions to Wear
- Formal State / Service Ceremonies / Function as directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
- Guard of honour / Parades
Ceremonial White Dress - No 02
Occasions to Wear
- When Call on
- When Waiting on
- Formal State / Service Ceremonies / Functions
- Attending Supreme / High Court on duty
- Court Martial
- As directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Working Dress White - No 05
Occasions to Wear
- Daily wear (as per daily orders) preferably working under a roof
- Daytime Formal / Informal service ceremonies / functions as directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
- When attending courts on duty as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
- When Call on / Wait on / Reporting
- Local or Foreign Visits / Tours
Action Working Dress Blue - No 06
Occasions to Wear
- Daily wear (as per daily orders) preferably at sea and field duties / Technical related work
- Service functions as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Sports Rig - No 09
Occasions to Wear
- Morning PT, Evening sports party, Organized Sports events and PET
- Occasions other than above when directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
Dress Camouflage - Dress No 11
Occasions to Wear
- Firings Practices/ Trainings/ Working Dress/ Duties and Special events as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Ceremonial White Dress - No 01
Occasions to Wear
- When Call on
- When Waiting on
- Formal State/ Service Ceremonies/ Functions
- Attending Supreme/ High Court on duty
- As directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
Working Dress White - Dress No 05
Occasions to Wear
- Daily wear (as per daily orders) preferably working under a roof
- Daytime Formal/ Informal service ceremonies/ functions as directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
- When attending courts on duty as directed by C of N or Competent Authorities
- When Call on/ Wait on/ Reporting
- Local or Foreign Visits/ Tours
Action Working Dress Blue - Dress No 06
Occasions to Wear
- Daily wear (as per daily orders) preferably at sea on field duties/ Technical related work
- Service functions as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Sports Rig - No 09
Occasions to Wear
- Morning PT, Evening sports party, Organized Sports events and PET
- Occasions other than above when directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Maternity Dress - No 10
Occasions to Wear
- During the period of pregnancy
Dress Camouflage - Dress No 11
Occasions to Wear
- Firings Practices/ Trainings/ Working Dress/ Duties and Special events as directed by C of N or Competent authorities
Medals & Decorations
Honoring the bravery and service of naval heroes
Parama Weera Vibhushanaya (PWV)
Weerodara Vibhushanaya (WV)
Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya (WWV)
Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP)
Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP)
Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV)
Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP)
Videsha Seva Padakkama (VSP)
Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal (1972)
Sri Lanka Navy 75th Anniversary Medal (2025)
Sri Lanka Navy 50th Anniversary Medal (2000)
Sri Lanka Navy 25th Anniversary Medal (1975)
Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal (1968)
Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal (1979)
President's Inauguration Medal (1978)
50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal
Desha Putra Sammanaya
Sewabhimani Medal
Seva Medal
75th Independence Anniversary Medal
East Humanitarian Operation Medal
North Humanitarian Operation Medal
North and East Operations Medal
Purna Bhumi Padakkama
Vadamarachchi Operation Medal
Riviresa Campaign Services Medal
Prashansaniya Seva Vibhushanaya
Prashansaniya Seva Padakkama
Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration Medal - 1956
Insignia
Expertise and Qualification Badges
FAC Squadron Pin
Surface Warfare Badge
Artificer Badge
Commendation Badge
Diving Badge
Bomb Disposal Badge
Para Badge
Special Boat Squadron
Naval Provost Badge
Naval Gunnery Instructor Badge
Naval Drill Instructor Badge
Naval Intelligence Badge
Naval Instructor Badge