14th February 2025 15:10:14 Hours
Major General W.P Kariyawasam was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, on 14th February 2025, along with his family members, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army.
During the meeting, the Army Chief commended the Senior Officer for his unwavering dedication and exemplary service in various challenging roles throughout his career, both during the war against terrorism and in the post-war period. The Commander of the Army also acknowledged the crucial support provided by his family throughout his tenure.
In response, Major General W.P Kariyawasam expressed his profound gratitude for the steadfast guidance and support extended by the Army Chief. At the conclusion of the meeting, the Commander of the Army presented a special memento to the retiring Senior Officer as a token of appreciation, along with gifts for his family.
Major General W.P Kariyawasam enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet to the Intake – PMA 2 on 07 September 1990. Upon successfully completing military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, and the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA), he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps on 13 March 1991. Elevating through the ranks over the course of his service, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 10 October 2023. The Senior Officer will retire from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from 19 February 2025, upon reaching 55 years of age. Prior to his retirement, he held the appointment of General Officer Commanding, 23 Infantry Division.
Throughout his career, he has held various key appointments, including Troop Leader of the 3rd Reconnaissance Regiment in the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Platoon Commander at the Armoured Corps Training Centre, Troop Leader of the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Second-in-Command of ‘C’ Squadron of the 1st Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Assistant Adjutant of the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Adjutant of the 6th (Reinforcement) Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps and Technical Adjutant of the 6th (Reinforcement) Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps. He has also served as Officer Commanding ‘A’ Squadron of the 6th (Reinforcement) Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Officer Commanding the Trade Training Squadron at the Armoured Corps Training Centre, Officer Commanding ‘B’ Squadron of the 5th Reconnaissance Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Officer Commanding the Headquarters Squadron of the 5th Reconnaissance Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps and Staff Officer 2 (Administration) at the Regimental Centre of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps.
He has later served as Second-in-Command of the 8th (Reinforcement) Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, General Staff Officer 1 (Coordinating) at Headquarters 57 Infantry Division, Staff Officer 1 (Administration) at the Regimental Centre of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps and Commanding Officer of the 9th (Reinforcement) Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps. He has held the position of Commanding Officer of the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Senior Security Coordinator at Army Headquarters, Staff Officer 1 at the Headquarters of the Armoured Brigade, Staff Officer 1 at the Office of the National Rifle Association and Commandant of the Armoured Corps Training Centre. Additionally, he has served as Colonel (Media) at the Directorate of Media at Army Headquarters, Commander of the 221 Infantry Brigade, Centre Commandant of the Regimental Centre of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Commander of the Armoured Brigade, Commandant of the Marksmanship and Sniper Training School and General Officer Commanding of the 23 Infantry Division.
During his illustrious military career, he has completed numerous local and international training courses, including the Basic Marksmanship Course, Par Excellence Course, Junior Command Course, Basic Parachute Course and International Practical Shooting Confederation (IPSC) Basic Safety Course in Sri Lanka. He has also followed the Officer Cadet Training Course in Pakistan, the Physical Training Instructor Course in Bangladesh, the Young Officers (Armour) Course in Pakistan, the BTR 80 and 80A Training Course in Russia, the Auto Instructor Officers Course in India, the Junior Staff Course linked with the Mid-Career Course in Pakistan, the Combat Team Commanders Course in India and the United Nations Contingent Commanders Course in Bangladesh.
