 Ranasinghe has held the command of various ships and craft during his career in the navy, including SLNS Samudura (Commissioning Commanding Officer of US Coast Guard Cutter received from the United States of America), and the Fast Attack Squadron between 2002 and 2004.He attended the Allied Officers’ War Course at the National Defence University in Islamabad in 2007, and a National Defence Course in 2012 at the National Defence College, New Delhi.President Maithripala Sirisena appointed Ranasinghe the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy with effect from 11 July 2015.