12th July 2023 18:55:06 Hours
Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, Commander of the Army took time off on Wednesday (12) to extend his best wishes to the retiring Chief of Staff of the Army and Colonel of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI), Major General C.D Weerasuriya RWP RSP ndu on the eve of the latter's retirement from the Army.
The retiring Major General C.D Weerasuriya RWP RSP ndu, Chief of Staff of the Army and Colonel of the Regiment of SLLI after an illustrious service of more than three decades was invited by Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army to his office, together with his spouse, just a few days before his retirement from the service.
Major General C.D Weerasuriya RWP RSP ndu who has served the Army for more than 36 years in an exemplary manner during the meet received appreciative compliments and words of commendation from the Army Chief who also spoke high of his working capacity, commitment and dedication to the Army as a member of the prestigious Infantry family. The Army Chief refreshed memories of the outgoing retiree’s contribution and valuable roles during the height of the war against terrorism as an Infantry Officer of the highest calibre before May 2009 and the time spent together as own batchmates in the Army.
The Army Chief while sharing a few pleasantries with the retiring Chief of Staff of the Army and his accompanying spouse also inquired about the retiring Senior Officer's future endeavours and wished him good luck. He also did not fail to heap praise on the support that his family members have given him during his career.
Major General C.D Weerasuriya RWP RSP ndu also in turn thanked the Commander of the Army for his wishes and guidance while mentioning the encouragement and comradeship he received during his tenure of service in the organization.
Towards the end of the interaction, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage awarded a special memento to the outgoing retiree as a symbol of appreciation and commendation along with a special gift to the family.
Major General C.D Weerasuriya RWP RSP ndu enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 27 October 1986. Upon successful completion of basic military training in the Sri Lanka Military Academy under the Intake 26, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment. He was promoted to the rank of Major General on 14 May 2020.
He has been holding the appointments of Chief of Staff of the Army and Colonel of the Regiment of SLLI at the time of his retirement. He also held the appointments of Platoon Commander of 1 SLLI and 6 SLLI, Intelligence Officer, Officer Commanding and Adjutant of 6 SLLI, Staff Officer 2 (Administration) of 11 Infantry Division, Chief Instructor of Training Wing, Regimental Centre of SLLI, Operations and Training Officer of 3 SLLI, 8 SLLI and 10 SLLI, General Staff Officer 2 (Plans) of Directorate of Plans, Army Headquarters, Second-in-Command of 1 SLLI and 7 SLLI, Regional Director of Sri Lanka Youth Corps, Colombo, General Staff Officer 1 (Coordinating) of 23 Infantry Division, Commanding Officer of 4 SLLI, Commander of 512, 523 and 663 Infantry Brigades, Colonel (General Staff) of 21 Infantry Division, Centre Commandant of Regimental Centre, SLLI, Commander of Airmobile Brigade, Brigadier (General Staff) of Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna, Director, Directorate of Recruiting, Army Headquarters, General Officer Commanding of 22 Infantry Division, District Coordinating Officer for Prevention of COVID-19, Trincomalee District, Chairman of Army Wrestling Committee, Commander of Security Forces - East, Commandant of Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Colonel of the Regiment - Mechanized Infantry Regiment, Deputy Chief of Staff, Army Headquarters and Chairman of Army Sports Committee.
For his bravery and gallantry in the battlefields, he has been awarded the ‘Rana Wickrama Padakkama’ and the ‘Rana Sura Padakkama’.
Major General C.D Weerasuriya RWP RSP ndu followed many local and foreign courses during his military career, such as Counter Revolutionary Warfare Course, Company Commanders’ Course, Computer Course, Officer Cadet Training Course - Pakistan, 81 mm Mortar Course - India, Young Officers’ Course - Pakistan, Junior Command and Staff Course - Bangladesh, Senior Command Course - India and National Security and War Course - Pakistan.
The retiring Senior Officer has also read for the Master of Public Administration at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Master of Science Degree in National Security and War Studies at National Defence University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
