Army Chief Commends Illustrious Career of Retiring Senior Officer

Major General P.G.P.S Rathnayaka RWP RSP ndc, Commander, 1 Corps and Colonel of the Regiment, Commando Regiment, was invited to the Office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, on 07 October 2024, along with his family members, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army after a distinguished 35-year service.

During the meeting, the Army Chief commended the Senior Officer for his unwavering dedication and exemplary performance in various challenging roles throughout his service, both during the war against terrorism and in the post-war period. The Commander also acknowledged the pivotal support provided by his family throughout his career.

In response, Major General P.G.P.S Rathnayaka RWP RSP ndc expressed his profound gratitude for the steadfast guidance and support offered by the Army Chief. Toward the end 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.

Here is a brief profile of the retiring Senior Officer:

Major General P.G.P.S Rathnayaka RWP RSP ndc enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet in Intake 32 on 14 July 1989. After completing his military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy - Diyatalawa (SLMA), he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Commando Regiment on 19 January 1991. Over the course of his career, he steadily elevated through the ranks and was promoted to Major General on 12 August 2022. He will retire from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army on 10 October 2024, upon reaching the age of 55.

Throughout his career, he held various key appointments, including Team Commander of 1 Commando Regiment, Intelligence Officer of 1 Commando Regiment, Team Commander of 2 Commando Regiment, Group Commander (Bravo Group) of 2 Commando Regiment, Group Commander (Admin Group) of 2 Commando Regiment, Group Commander of the Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRP) Group, Group Commander (Support Group) of 2 Commando Regiment, Operations and Training Officer of 2 Commando Regiment, Senior Security Coordinator of the President's Guard, Senior Assistant Security Coordinator to the former President, Colonel (General Staff) of the 24 Infantry Division Headquarters, Officiating Commander of the 592 Infantry Brigade, Commander of the 623 Infantry Brigade, Commander of the Commando Brigade, General Officer Commanding of the 53 Infantry Division, Colonel of the Regiment - Commando Regiment and Commander, 1 Corps.

The Senior Officer has been awarded Rana Wickrama Padakkama and Rana Sura Padakkama in recognition of his bravery on the battlefield.

He also completed numerous local and foreign training courses during his military career, including the Basic Commando Course, National Security and Strategic Studies Course, Commando Officers’ Course in India, Basic Parachute Course in India, Officers Physical Training Course in India, Parachute Packing & Maintenance Course in Pakistan, Young Officers’ Course in India, Junior Command Course in India, United Nations Military Observer Course in Switzerland, and Intermediate Command Programme in China.

In addition, the Senior Officer pursued higher education, earning a Master of Science in National Security and Strategic Studies from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.