18th March 2024 19:22:56 Hours
Major General C.A. Wickramasinghe USP USACGSC, of the Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE), Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence & Administration) of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, arrived at the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, on 18 March 2024, accompanied by his family members, prior to his retirement after a landmark career of more than 33 years in the Army.
During the cordial meeting, the Army Chief praised the retiring Senior Officer for his dedicated service and performance of diverse and challenging responsibilities with unfailing commitment and selflessness. He also recalled the retiree’s invaluable sacrifices and roles during the height of the war against terrorism before May 2009, as well as his effective discharge of duties in the post-war scenario.
In return, Major General C.A. Wickramasinghe USP USACGSC thanked the Army Chief for the invitation and expressed his gratitude for the guidance extended to him in performing varied duties.
The Army Chief also commended the invaluable support given to the Senior Officer by his family throughout his career, particularly during challenging times when he was engaged in operations to safeguard the motherland away from home.
Towards the end of the interactions, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage awarded a special memento to the retiring Senior Officer as a symbol of appreciation and commendation, along with a special gift to the family.
Here follows a brief profile of the retiring Senior Officer:
Major General C.A. Wickramasinghe USP USACGSC joined the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 03 November 1990. After completing military training at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy, Ratmalana and the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa in Intake KDU 8, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 14 November 1992 and posted to the Sri Lanka Engineers. Throughout his career, he held various appointments and steadily elevated to subsequent ranks, ultimately reaching the rank of Major General on 16 February 2024.
He held the office of Deputy Vice Chancellor (Defence & Administration) of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University at the time of his retirement. He also held appointments such as Troop Commander and Intelligence Officer of 6 SLE, Officer Instructor and Adjutant of the Officer Cadet Wing at Sri Lanka Military Academy, Troop Commander and Squadron Commander of 8 SLE, Brigade Major of 224 Infantry Brigade, Staff Officer 2 (Military Training) of Sri Lanka Military Academy, Senior Instructor and Head of the Training Team of the Training Wing at Sri Lanka Military Academy, General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) of 57 Infantry Division, Commanding Officer of 14 SLE, Project Manager (Plant and Machinery) of the Defence Headquarters Complex Project, Deputy Chief of U9 Branch at the Force Headquarters, United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Commanding Officer of 11 SLE, Officiating Military Assistant of Army Headquarters, Secretary to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) of 11 Infantry Division, Colonel (General Staff) of 11 Infantry Division, Directing Staff and Head of the Training Team of Defence Services Command and Staff College, and Commander of 551 Infantry Brigade.
He has completed numerous local and foreign courses during his military career, such as the Field Engineer Class I Course, Humanitarian Demining Course, Humanitarian Demining Management Course, Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Response Level II Course, Army Command and Staff Course, Engineer Officers’ Basic Course in Bangladesh, Command and General Staff Course in the United States of America, Engineer Officers Earth Moving Plant Workshop and Construction Plant Course in India, and United Nations Protection of Citizens Training of Trainers Course in Vietnam.
The Senior Officer also pursued a number of higher educational and non-military courses, such as the Certificate Course in Advanced GIS Technologies & Applications in Defence at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Diploma in Conflict Resolution: Skills Development at the Bandaranaike Centre for International Studies, Bachelor of Science in Engineering at the University of Moratuwa, and Master of Defence Studies at the University of Kelaniya.
