16th June 2022 16:29:44 Hours
Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku, currently holding the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff took office as the new Chief of Staff (CoS) of the Army, effective from Wednesday (8). He is one of the most senior veterans in the organization and is also the Colonel of the Regiment, Sri Lanka Light Infantry.
As the 60th Chief of Staff of the Army, he symbolically placed his signature in an official document at his new office in the Army Headquarters during a brief ceremony amid religious blessings, conducted by Ven (Dr) Mabulgoda Sumanarathana Thero and other formalities. Lighting of the traditional oil lamp and performance of religious observances added significance to the inauguration.
Mrs Shiromala Kodithuwakku, family members, Senior Officers, Officers and Other Ranks were present at the occasion.
Here follows a brief profile of Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku:
Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku RWP RSP ndu has held many significant appointments in the Sri Lanka Army as the Commander Infantry Brigade, General Officer Commanding of Infantry Division, the Quarter Master General of the Sri Lanka Army and the Commander, Security Forces Jaffna before he took office as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army on 12 December 2021.
He was born on 26 November 1967 in Galle and is a proud product of St. Aloysius College, Galle. He joined the Sri Lanka Army on 27 October 1986 as an Officer Cadet to the Regular Intake 26. After completing basic training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy and the Pakistan Military Academy, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and posted to the 3rd Battalion Sri Lanka Light Infantry.
During his illustrious military career, he has served varying appointments in different capacities, mostly in high intensity operational environments, in which he was recognized as a valiant infantryman. Throughout his career, he has been an excellent commander, instructor and a thorough staff officer. He is a personality with strong attention to detail with considerable leadership abilities.
Owing to his excellent command skills and decision-making ability, he has been assigned with many command responsibilities. He commanded infantry platoons and infantry companies of the Light Infantry, showing exemplary leadership. Later, he had the distinguished privilege of commanding the 10th Battalion of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry. As a highly experienced and qualified professional, he has shown abilities of developing and executing tactical and strategic plans successfully. Hence, he earned the distinction of commanding 532 and 512 Infantry Brigades, 66 Infantry Division and the Security Forces Jaffna of the Sri Lanka Army. He had the privilege of being simultaneously the Commandant of both the prestigious Infantry Training Centre and the Army Training School in the Sri Lanka Army.
As a staff officer, he has served various capacities and has held key appointments in various institutes, including the Army Headquarters. Some of the significant of them are; General Staff Officer 1 at the Infantry Division. He was also the Centre Commandant of the regimental Centre Sri Lanka Light Infantry where he initiated many projects to promote administrative aspects and welfare of officers and others ranks of the regiment.
He is passionate and highly effective with success as an instructor, and served as a Directing Staff and a Senior Instructor at the Institute of Peace Support Operations in Sri Lanka and earned the distinction of becoming Sri Lanka's first Military Observer, seconded to the United Nations in the post war era and served at the United Nations Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo. He also took part in a Military Observer office and followed Peacekeeping Training Course in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
Major General Jagath Kodithuwakku is a strong communicator, advocate counsellor, and relationship developer. He is a graduate of the University of Colombo and holds a Masters Degree in Human Resource Management and a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Resource Advancement. He also holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Conflict Resolution and Security Studies from the University of Bradford in UK. He is a professional counsellor and holds an Advanced Certificate in Guidance and Counselling from the Institute of Psychological Studies. Owing to his exceptional negotiating skills, he has been awarded the membership at the Sri Lanka Institute of Professional Counsellors. He is also a distinguished graduate of the Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies, USA, where he completed the Comprehensive Crisis Management. His overseas exposures in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran, Mongolia, Indonesia and USA widened his horizons of professional knowledge further.
Also, he completed Mastering Education of Strategic and Resilience Studies at the National Resilience Institute of the Republic of Indonesia. He has also attended the Pacific Area Security Sector Working Group (PASSWG) training programme at the Mongolian Armed Forces Special Operations Command, Pacific Joint Special Operations University in Mongolia. Further, he is the country representative for the International Convention on prohibition cluster munitions in Geneva, Switzerland.
Major General Kodithuwakku has been awarded with many medals and honours for his distinguished conduct, bravery, dedication and loyalty to the organization; Rana Wickrama Paddakama, Rana Sura Padakkama, Deshaputhra Paddakkama, Eastern Humanitarian Operation Medal, Wanni Humanitarian Operation Medal, Poorna Bhumi Padakkama, North and East Operations Medal with three clasps, Rivirasa Campaign Service Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Services Medal, United Nations Observer Medal in Democratic Republic of Congo, Videsha Seva Padakkama, Sewabhimani Padakkama and Pasasum Sewa Padakkama are among many. With all his skills and experience, at present he is providing a great contribution to uplift and maintain the Sinhalese martial art, namely the “Angampora” by being the Chairman of the Army and National “Angampora” Committees.
