23rd August 2021 15:11:50 Hours
Major General Laksiri Perera of Vijayabhahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) assumed duties as the 25th General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 56 Division, amid religious blessings at the Division Headquarters in Vavuniya on Friday (20).
The newly-appointed General Officer Commanding of the 56 Division was warmly welcomed by Staff Officers and honoured in a Guard Turnout, presented by Division troops as he entered the premises. Afterwards, he was invited to plant a sapling as a gesture of memory before he moved to the office complex.
Afterwards, the new GOC placed his signature in an official document to mark the assumption of his duties as members of the Maha Sangha chanted 'Seth Pirith'. He also offered 'Pirikara' to the monks before he made a formal address to Officers in the HQ.
Brigade Commanders, Staff Officers of the 56 Division, Commanding Officers, Officers and Other Rankers were present during the day's event, adhering to health guidelines.
He succeeded Major General Nandana Dunuwila who just retired from the Army. Major General Laksiri Perera was the deputy commandant of the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) prior to this new appointment.
The new GOC held several command and staff appointments, including the office of Commanding Officer 14 VIR, 18 VIR during the peak of Humanitarian Operations, Commanding Officer Sri Lanka Military Academy, 533 Brigade Commander, Assistant Military Secretary-2 at Military Secretariat at the Army Headquarters, Chief Instructor at Defence Services Command and Staff College, etc.
