30th April 2026
Major General W.S.V. Fernando USP ndc IG was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, on 29 April 2026, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army after a distinguished military career spanning over 34 years.
Major General W.S.V. Fernando USP ndc IG enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet of Intake 37 – PMA on 10 February 1992. Upon successful completion of military training at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) and the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery on 19 December 1992. During his service, he was steadily promoted through the ranks and was elevated to the rank of Major General on 31 March 2025. The Senior Officer will retire from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from 04 May 2026 on reaching 55 years of age. At the time of his retirement, he holds the appointment of General Officer Commanding, 16 Infantry Division (formerly designated as 61 Infantry Division).
Throughout his illustrious military career, the Senior Officer has held numerous key appointments. He has served as Troop Commander of Headquarters Battery at 4 Field Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery, 9 Battery at 4 Field Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery, 8 Medium Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery and 9 Field Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery, Battery Commander of 9 Field Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery, Adjutant of 9 Field Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery, Staff Officer 3 of the Adjutant General’s Branch at Army Headquarters, General Staff Officer 2 (Additional) at the Directorate of Plans, Army Headquarters, Second-in-Command of 16 (Reinforcement) Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery, Instructor (Instructor in Gunnery) at the School of Artillery, Project Officer at the Defence Services Command and Staff College and Commanding Officer of 16 (Rft) Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery and 6 Field Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery.
He has also served as Coordinator of the Virusara Privilege Card Section – Sri Lanka Army at the Ranaviru Seva Authority, Staff Officer 1 (Posting Cell) of the Officers’ Branch at Headquarters, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Deputy Director of the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, Kandakadu, Director of the Treatment and Rehabilitation Centre, Welikanda and Brigadier (General Staff) at Security Force Headquarters (East).
Apart from the above appointments, he has held various responsibilities at Infantry Division and Brigade levels in the capacities of General Staff Officer 1 (Operations), Colonel (General Staff), Commander of Infantry Brigade, Deputy General Officer Commanding and General Officer Commanding at Infantry Division.
In recognition of his dedicated and exemplary service, he was awarded the Utthama Seva Padakkama (USP).
The Senior Officer has successfully completed several local and overseas courses, including the Young Officers Course, Basic Intelligence Course, Unit Accounts Course for Officers, Senior Command Course, Potential Military Observer and Staff Officers Course, United Nations Civil-Military Coordination Course, United Nations Logistics Officers Course and National Security and Strategic Studies Course.
His overseas training includes the Artillery Young Officers’ Course – India, Mid-Career Course – Pakistan, Field Engineering and Watermanship Course – Pakistan, Officers Gunnery Staff Course – Bangladesh and Battalion Commanders Course – China.
In addition to his military qualifications, the Senior Officer has obtained a Master of Science (Technical) from the Bangladesh University of Professionals, a Master of Science in National Security and Strategic Studies from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, and a Certificate Course in Drug Counselling conducted by the National Dangerous Drugs Control Board under the Ministry of Defence.
