Rear Admiral MDK Wijewardana studied at the Tholangamuwa Dudley Senanayake Central College, Kegalle, Sri Lanka. He joined the Sri Lanka Navy as an officer cadet through General Sir John Kothalawela Defence Academy (KDA) on 08th November 1992. He underwent his basic training at KDA and the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA), Trincomalee. He specializes in Hydrography.
Some of the key sea appointments he has held during his naval career are Officer in Command of Fast Attack Crafts (FACs), Commanding Officer SLNS Abeetha II, Commanding Officer Rapid Action Boat Squadron (RABS), Commanding Officer SLNS Udara and Commanding Officer SLNS Nandimithra. Apart from that he has served as Officer in Command of the Hydrography Unit in Western Naval Area, Command Operations Officer Eastern Naval Area, Staff Officer Intelligence and Command Harbour Defence Officer in Eastern Naval Area, Directing Staff at Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda, Commanding Officer Fast Attack Flotilla, Commanding Officer SLNS Mahasen, Deputy Director Naval Training, Provost Marshal, Director Naval Inspectorate at Naval Headquarters, Deputy Area Commander Western Naval Area, Deputy Area Commander North Central Naval Area, the Commander North Western Naval Area and Director General Training at Naval Headquarters.
Rear Admiral MDK Wijewardana is one of the highly decorated naval officers with gallantry medals in highest order for act of bravery which include Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya, Rana Wickrama Padakkama and Rana Sura Padakkama. He has also been awarded with Uththama Sewa Padakkama for his unblemished service, Desha Puthra Sammanaya and many campaign medals. He is a recipient of the Commander of the Navy’s Commendation Badge for his remarkable performances, and he was awarded with FAC Squadron Pin and Surface Warfare Badge for his recommendable and bravery service in the Sri Lanka Navy.
He graduated with BSc (DS) degree in Mechanical Engineering in 1996 from Kotelawala Defence University. He has followed his Sub Lieutenant Technical Course at NMA in 2000, Junior Staff Course in Bangladesh in 2004, Staff Course in USA in 2008 and Long Hydrography Course in India in 2010 where he has obtained Master of science degree in Hydrography from University of Goa, India and Degree of Master of Philosophy in defence and strategic studies in University of Madras.
He is excellent in sports as an athlete and has held appointment of the Secretary of Sri Lanka Navy Athletic and Judo and Wrestling pools. Further he has held the Chairmanship of Navy Athletic Pool. He is presently performing duties as the Chief Hydrographer of Sri Lanka Navy while holding the appointment of the Commander Southern Naval Area.
He is married to Nalika and blessed with two sons, Dulneth and Senmith.