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The Ministry of Defence has instructed the Commander of the Sri Lanka Navy to carry out a formal investigation into the sudden death of Lieutenant Koyan Chamitha, the first Sri Lankan Navy officer to complete the rigorous U.S. Navy SEAL training program.
Lieutenant Chamitha, aged 28, was discovered deceased at the naval quarters in the Welisara Navy Camp. A resident of Gampaha, he had earned distinction by successfully finishing SEAL training in the United States in 2025, after which he returned to Sri Lanka to resume his naval duties.
His passing has come as a shock to colleagues and the wider naval community, who regarded him as a trailblazer in Sri Lanka’s military. Authorities have launched a thorough inquiry to establish the exact cause of his untimely death, with the Navy and Ministry of Defence emphasizing that all necessary measures are being taken to investigate the circumstances fully.
Lieutenant Chamitha’s achievements as the country’s first SEAL-trained officer highlight the growing international collaboration in military training and the dedication of Sri Lanka’s armed forces personnel. His loss is being deeply mourned by family, friends, and fellow service members.
