15th May 2026
Major General K.D.M.L. Samaradiwakara RWP RSP ndc psc was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ndu psc IG, on 07 May 2026, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army after a distinguished military career spanning over 35 years.
Major General K.D.M.L. Samaradiwakara RWP RSP ndc psc enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet of Intake PMA 03 on 29 April 1991. 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 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 14 April 1992. During his service, he steadily progressed through the ranks and was elevated to the rank of Major General on 22 November 2024. The Senior Officer will retire from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from 17 May 2026 upon reaching the age of 55 years. At the time of his retirement, he holds the appointments of Director General Financial Management, Army Headquarters and Colonel Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Corps of Agriculture and Livestock.
Throughout his illustrious military career, the Senior Officer has held numerous key appointments. He has served as Platoon Commander, 4th Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Group Commander, 1st Special Forces Regiment, Group Commander, 2nd Special Forces Regiment, Officer Commanding, 3rd Special Forces Regiment, Officer Instructor, Training Wing, Infantry Training Centre, Operational and Training Officer, 1st Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Second-in-Command, 11th Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Staff Officer, Sri Lanka Battalion, United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Commanding Officer, 23rd Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Staff Officer 1 (Volunteer), Military Secretary’s Branch, Army Headquarters, Commanding Officer, Recruit Training Wing, Army Training School, Acting Commandant, Army Training School, General Staff Officer 1, Directorate of Staff Duties, Army Headquarters, Colonel (General Staff), Security Force Headquarters (Central), Acting Brigadier (General Staff), Security Force Headquarters (Central), Colonel Military Secretary (Volunteer), Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force and Deputy Commandant, Sri Lanka Military Academy.
He has also served as Assistant Military Secretary 3 and Assistant Military Secretary 2, Military Secretary’s Branch, Director, Directorate of Army Band and Performing Arts, Director General Training, Colonel Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Corps of Agriculture and Livestock and Director General Financial Management.
Apart from the above appointments, he has held various responsibilities at Infantry Division and Brigade levels in the capacities of Brigade Major, Commander - Infantry Brigade, Deputy General Officer Commanding, and General Officer Commanding.
In recognition of his dedicated and exemplary service, he was awarded the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP).
The Senior Officer has successfully completed several local and overseas courses, including the Young Officers Course, Special Forces Basic Course, Junior Command Course, Basic Airborne Course, Army Command and Staff Course and National Security and Strategic Studies Course.
His overseas training includes the Commando Course in India, Young Officers Tactics Course in Pakistan, Junior Command Course in India and United Nations Military Expert on Mission Course in Australia.
In addition to his military qualifications, the Senior Officer has obtained a Master of Science in National Security and Strategic Studies from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and a Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs from the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute.
