Family Information
Rear Admiral Rajan Kadirgamar, MVO.
Rear Admiral Rajanathan Kadirgamar was born in 1922, son of Samuel Jebaratnam Christian Kadirgamar and Edith Parimalam Kadirgamar, daughter of Edward Ponnusamy Mather. He served in the Ceylon Royal Navy. As a Naval Cadet, he took the sword of honour at the passing out parade at Trincomalee in 1941. As a Sub-Lieutenant, he saw action off the coast of Burma with the Royal Navy. He was awarded star and Burma star for war service from 1939-1945.
Rear Admiral Rajanathan Kadirgamar married Miss Rajeswari (Girlie) Kunaratnam, daughter of Dr. I.T. Kunaratnam. They had two daughters. His oldest daughter Lakshmi Kadirgamar married Capt. Arjuna Wijetilleka and his second daughter Shyamala Kadirgamar married Ralph Kanagasingham.
After that, he was appointed as the first Commanding Officer of H.M.Cy.S. VIJAYA. Also Extra ADC, to Governor’s, they were Governor General Soulbury, Governor General Sir Oliver Goonetilleke, and Governor General William Gopallawa. Promoted to Lieutenant Commander in 1949, Commander in 1955, Captain in 1959, and temporary Commodore in 1960 (Confirmed 1964).
Rajan Kadirgamar was appointed Commander of the Navy at the young age of 40 years. He was later promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral. In addition, he was appointed as working director at Port Cargo Corporation and he retired on 1 July 1970.