Biography

M rs. Kaushalya Opatha Fernando serves as the 19^th President of the Sri Lanka Navy’s Seva Vanitha Unit, which is focused on providing welfare facilities and supporting the well-being of naval personnel and their families. Born in Colombo, she completed her primary and secondary education at St. Bridget's Convent.

Mrs. Kaushalya Fernando is an Association Montessori International (AMI) qualified teacher. Her enthusiasm and motivation in child pedagogy and development support led her in joining the Sri Lanka Navy as a lady officer under the Direct Entry scheme, of the Volunteer Naval Force (VNF) on 18^th April 1994. Upon completion of her basic naval training she became the 1^st lady officer in the service to serve as a Montessori teacher in Trincomalee. Her commitment and dedication towards early childhood education eventually made her the 1^st lady officer to continuously serve over nine (09) years at Trincomalee.

As a Lieutenant Commander, she made history becoming the 1^st lady Parade Commander in Sri Lanka, when she commanded a passing-out parade of Volunteer Naval Force women sailors in November 2006 at the Welisara Naval Complex. She also holds the distinction of having commanded the women sailors' division at the first Victory Day Parade. She is amongst the lady officers, who have represented services at the National Day Parades on the greatest number of occasions. In 2009, she retired in the rank of Lieutenant Commander from the Naval service following a 15 year long unblemished naval career.

She is married to Vice Admiral Damian Fernando and blessed with two daughters Kalsha, Cecilia and son Febian.

Mrs. Kaushalya Fernando is driven by her passion for women empowerment and community work, especially through efforts that support the foundational role in building and nurturing a strong family unit, child education and development.