MAJOR GENERAL S.M de A. Rajapakse, formerly the Commander Security Forces in the East Tuesday (8) morning assumed duties as the new Director General of General Staff (DGGS) at Army Headquarters (AHQ) after a brief religious ceremony at the DGGS office.
The newly appointed DGGS on arrival at his office paid obeisance to Lord Buddha and participated in observance of religious rites and rituals, administered by two leading Buddhist monks, Ven. Kaduruwe Sugathawansa Thero and Siyambalagoda Sobhitha Thero of Uththara Chethiyaramaya, Kudagonaduwa, Moronthuduwa. A brief ‘Seth Pirith’ chanting blessed the new appointment and the monks tied a symbolic Pirith thread around Major General Rajapakse’s right wrist while offering blessed water. Later on he lit the traditional oil lamp inaugurating his office and symbolically initialled the first official document in keeping with traditions.
Major General S.M de A. Rajapakse served as Commander Security Forces, East (SFHQ - E) during the final stages of the Wanni humanitarian operations giving a thorough security blanket for the entire eastern region. Hundreds of LTTE terrorist infiltrators to the East during the peak of LTTE terrorism met their doom before they were able to cause havoc, disrupting peace in the entire eastern theatre. He commanded the eastern region for over one year and prevented any possible major LTTE clandestine violent acts from occurring. Before he relinquished duties as Commander, SFHQ-E, Major General Rajapakse served as Commander for 53 Division and 51 Division in the North. To his credit, he also served the office of Director Training, Army Headquarters, a few years ago.
The outgoing DGGS Major General A. Mano Perera and all Directors under the purview of DGGS office were present on the occasion.
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