Amidst Full Military Honours Major General Wikramanayake (Rtd) Laid to Rest

The military funeral of Major General D.J De S Wickramanayake (Rtd) of the Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA) took place Tuesday (11) afternoon, amidst a gathering of his fellow-Army comrades, family members and mourners at the General Cemetery, Colombo.

Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army, Retired Senior Officers, Principal Staff Officers, Senior Officers, Directors and a host of late officer’s contemporaries, schoolmates and relatives were there to salute him as the dusk was falling.

Major General D.J De S Wickramanayake (Rtd) who had served the Army for nearly 3 decades passed away in Australia on 29 September 2017.

Troops in accordance with military traditions received the remains, presenting arms before being taken on the gun carriage after the funeral procession reached the main entrance to the cemetery.

Late Major General Wickramanayake’s coffin, draped in the National flag afterwards began to inch its way towards the crematorium as all gathered at the main entrance, lined up behind the coffin.

The formal Special Part I Order, issued by the Commander of the Army was then read out to the mourners as the occasion turned solemn. The troops in conformity with military traditions saluted him presenting the symbolic gun salute, the highest tribute a military officer, could get in the event of his demise.

Minutes after the Last Post, the bugle call that sounded, indicating that the great soldier has gone to his final rest, the remains were carried to the crematorium as everyone stood in respect. Seconds after that, Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, Commander of the Army presented the bereaved family with military decorations and medals late Major General Wickramanayake had earned during his military career for nearly 3 decades.

The military funeral of late Major General Wickramanayake has been organized under the direct supervision of Adjutant General with close coordination of Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Artillery.

Here follows the Army Part I Order;

MAJOR GENERAL D J De S WICKRAMANAYAKE (Rtd)

It is with profound sorrow that Commander of the Army and all ranks of the Sri Lanka Army pronounce the demise of Major General D J De S Wickramanayake (Rtd) on 29 September 2017.

Duleep Justin De Sliva Wickramanayake was born on 05 September 1930 as the 4th member out of 8 children to a respectable family in Colombo. Master Duleep Justin De Sliva Wickramanayake had his primary education from Ananda Balika Primary School, and later joined the Ananda College Colombo and excelled both in academics and sports. He, proved himself to be an outstanding sportsman by representing the College First Eleven in Cricket. He also participated for the Herman Loose trophy in 1949 representing Ananda College as the Cadet Sergeant.

On completion of his school education, young Wickramanayake joined the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 15 April 1950 with the intention of serving the motherland. He received his basic military training from the Mons Officer Cadet School, Aldershot, and Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, one of the foremost military academies of the world, strengthening his knowledge and wisdom. After successful completion of his cadet training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 07 February 1952 and was posted to the prestigious Ceylon Artillery. There, he served the Regiment in various capacities in different parts of the country displaying his professionalism and utmost commitment in all command and administrative responsibilities entrusted upon him.

Through absolute dedication, commitment, and competence displayed towards the service, Second Lieutenant D J De S Wickramanayake was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 07 August 1953, to the rank of Captain on 01 October 1956 and to the rank of Major on 30 January 1962. His aspiring leadership was further rewarded by promoting him to the senior ranks of the Army; to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 01 November 1969, rank of Colonel on 01 January 1974, and to the rank of Major General on 19 September 1985.

During his long tour of duty, Major General D J De S Wickramanayake held many appointments in different capacities. Some of the key appointments held by him were:

Staff Officer 2, Army Force – Panagoda

General Staff Officer 2 (Training), Army Headquarters

Officiating Commanding Officer, Ceylon Corps of Military Police

Commanding Officer, 4th Field Regiment Ceylon Artillery

Coordinating Officer – Matara District

Coordinating Officer – Kurunegala District

Aide-De-Camp to His Excellency the President

Commander, South Eastern Command

Officiating Commandant, Army Training Centre

Commander, Southern Command

Director, Personnel Administration, Army Headquarters

Director, Operations and Training, Army Headquarters

Major General D J De S Wickramanayake followed a number of local and overseas courses in different stages of his career where he attained outstanding ratings. Some of the prominent overseas training courses were:

Young Officers Course, Royal School of Artillery, Lark Hill, United Kingdom

Anti-Air Craft Course, School of Anti-Aircraft Artillery, Monorbier, United Kingdom

Infantry Instructors Course, Army Recruit Training Depot, Diyatalawa

Army Command and Staff College Course, Staff College, Australia

Royal College of Defence Studies Course, London, United Kingdom

In recognition of his unblemished and distinguished service rendered to the Army, Major General D J De S Wickramanayake was awarded with following medals:

Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal

Republic of Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal

Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal

President Inauguration Medal

Ceylon Armed Services Inauguration Medal

Major General D J De S Wickramanayake was a source of encouragement and inspiration to the Officers and Other Ranks of the Army. He was always held in high esteem by his peers and colleagues for his absolute integrity and honesty. His name is written in the history of the Regiment of Artillery as the 5th Commanding Officer of the 4th Field Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery. Apart from that he commanded the Corps of Military Police as the 3rd Commanding Officer of the 1st Ceylon Corps of Military Police. He as the Director Personnel Administration and Director Operations and Training of the Army had enormously contributed in formulating many Training Programmes, Regulations and Orders for the smooth functioning of the Army. Further, his visionary thinking as a field commander and a principal staff officer, contributed immensely to uplift the state of morale and wellbeing of the members of the Army.

His illustrious military career for nearly 3 decades where he served the Army and the country with utmost dedication displaying exemplary qualities as an officer and a gentleman. The indelible imprint of leadership he had left behind in the Regiment of Artillery and in the Army will ever be remembered with utmost respect and affection.

The last rites of late Major General D J De S Wickramanayake will be held at 1400 hours on 11 October 2017 at the General Cemetery, Borella with full military honours. The Commander of the Army and all ranks join with family members to share their sorrow at this moment of grief.

Late Major General D J De S Wickramanayake (Rtd) though you have departed, your name and exceptional service to the Army will always be remembered. Your noteworthy contribution towards the growth of the institution would be cherished by all that follow. Your name will forever remain as a true son of Mother Lanka.

"May you Attain the Supreme Bliss of Nibbana"