He was decorated for gallantry and commended for exceptional service to the Navy.Upon retirement from the Navy, Admiral served as the Director for Indo-Sri Lanka Initiatives and Law of the Sea Centers at the Pathfinder Foundation, which is a premier think-tank and research center, based in Colombo. Admiral has represented the Pathfinder Foundation and Sri Lanka in many bi-lateral, regional and international fora, presenting papers, participating in panel discussions and chairing sessions on international politics, strategic and maritime security related fields.

Admiral Colombage has been a guest lecturer in few universities and training institutes in Sri Lanka,India and China. Admiral has also been an editor and reviewer of number of internationally renownedAcademic journals.
Admiral Prof. Colombage holds a PhD from General Sir John Kotalawela University, Master of Sciencein Defence and Strategic Studies from Madras University and Master of Arts in International Studiesfrom Kings College, London. His PhD thesis “Asymmetric Warfare at Sea; the case of Sri Lanka” has been published by Lambert Academic Publishing in Germany. Admiral is also a fellow of Nautical Institute of London.