New Chief of Staff, Major General Liyanage Assumes Office

The Sri Lanka Army’s 54th Chief of Staff, Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage WWV RWP VSV USP ndc psc, more popularly known as Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage assumed office this morning (27) in a simple ceremony, amid religious observances, greetings and best wishes.

Soon after his entry into the office, the new Chief of Staff observed five precepts and made symbolic offerings to the Buddha before he formally invited the members of the Maha Sangha, headed by Most Ven. (Dr.) Ittaepane Sri Dhammalankara Maha Nayake Thero of the Kotte Sri Kalyani Samagri Dharma Maha Sangha Sabha to invoke blessings by offering the traditional tray of betel.

As chanting of ‘Seth Pirith’ was in progress, the new Chief of Staff, Major General Liyanage left his signature in a formal document to signify the acceptance of his new office. After a brief oration of the Maha Nayake Thero, Major General Liyanage offered 'Pirikara' to the Maha Sangha.

A representative gathering of Senior Officers, including Major Genral Ruwan Silva, Military Secretary, Major General Ranjith Dhramasiri, Director General General Staff, Major General Jayantha Senevirathna, Adjutant General, Major General Duminda Sirinaga, Director General Financial Management and Major General Indrajith Vidyananda, Quarter Master General were present at the occasion.

Here follows the brief profile of Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage;

Major General Liyanage of Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, more popularly known as Sathyapriya Liyanage was serving as the Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) and Commander, Overall Operations Command before he was appointed as the Chief of Staff, the second highest office in the Army. He is also the Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps.

Major General Sathyapriya Dulanapema Thalarambe Liyanage is one among the few to be awarded one of the highest gallantry medals, Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya (WWV) which recognizes his selfless contribution to the war for peace.

Major General Liyanage is a proud product of Thurstan College, Colombo where he showed prowess in the field of sports, particularly in Cricket, Rugby Football, Athletics and Cadeting. In recognition of his contribution to the field of Rugby Football and Cricket, he was awarded College Colours for both games. Upon successful completion of the secondary education, he joined the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army on 04 March 1984 as an Officer Cadet and completed basic military training at Sri Lanka Military Academy Diyatalawa before he was commissioned to the prestigious 1st Reconnaissance Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps in the rank of Second Lieutenant on 16 November 1985.

In his illustrious career spanning over 35 years, he has held vital and important Command, Staff and Instructor appointments. Some of the significant Command appointments that he has held include Commanding Officer of 4th Armoured Regiment, Town Commandant of Trincomalee, Commander of 523 Infantry Brigade, Commander Armoured Brigade and Deputy General Officer Commanding in 55 Infantry Division.

He was handpicked to raise and command the Task Force - 3 during the Humanitarian Operations where he commanded the Task Force until the successful termination of the operations against the terrorists. Subsequently, he served as the General Officer Commanding of the 52 Infantry Division and the 64 Infantry Division respectively.

Major General General Sathyapriya Liyanage, as a Staff Officer has served numerous appointments such as Colonel Military Secretary at the Army Headquarters, Brigadier General Staff Security Force Headquarters Jaffna, Director General Operations and Systems at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff, Military Liaison Officer at the Ministry of Defence and the Master General Ordnance at the Army Headquarters.

Some of the military disciplines he has hitherto followed include Young Officers’ Course, Auto Instructor Course and Senior Command Course in India, Mid-Career Course in Pakistan, Defence Services Command and Staff Course in Bangladesh, Armoured Officers’ Advanced Course in USA and National Defence College Course in India.

In addition to his distinguished military career, as an academic, Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage has completed the Diploma in Diplomacy and Foreign Affairs at the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute and Diploma in Defence Management in India. He secured a First Class in his Masters’ degree program at the University of Madras in India for Philosophy. He also has participated in the Executive Seminar on ‘System Reform Challenges and Opportunities’ at the South Asia Centre for Strategic Studies in Washington DC and attended the Seminar on ‘Counter Terrorism and Violent Extremism in Maldives’.

Major General Liyanage is a recipient of several gallantry awards and military decorations, including Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya (WWV) and Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) for his bravery in the battlefield. In recognition of his services to the Army, he has also been awarded Purna Bhumi Padakkama, North and East Operations Medal, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, Riviresa Campaign Service Medal with clasp, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, East Humanitarian Operation Medal and North Humanitarian Operation Medal.

He also has excelled in sports in the Army. He represented the Army Teams in ‘A’ Division Cricket and Rugby Football. Rugby Football being his forte, he represented the Army Rugby Football team from 1984 to 1994 and captained the side in 1994. He was awarded the Army Colours for Rugby Football for his excellent sportsmanship and the skills displayed in the field.

Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage is married to Sheromi and blessed with a daughter. He is fond of reading, playing squash, tennis and listening to the music.Buy Kicks | Nike