Draft:Priyantha Rathnayake (sailor)

Priyantha Rathnayake (1983 - 24 June 2024) was a senior non-commissioned officer in the Sri Lanka Navy. He died after sustaining critical injuries during a naval operation to apprehend Indian fishermen engaged in illegal fishing in Sri Lankan waters.

Rathnayake who had joined the navy in 2004, and was serving a Chief Petty Officer attached to the Special Boat Squadron was onboard a navy fast attack craft that was intercepting Indian fishing boat poaching in Sri Lankan waters. The Indian fishing boat engaged in aggressive manoeuvres resisting its seizure resulting in the death of the sailor. Ten Indian fishermen were arrested and charged with his murder. Rathnayake was posthumously promoted to the rank of Fleet Chief Petty Officer.