22nd August 2025
Major General H.C.L Galappathti RSP USP, the General Officer Commanding of 24 Infantry Division, was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, on 21 August 2025, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army after completing a distinguished military career spanning over 34 years.
Below is a brief profile of the retiring senior officer:
Major General H.C.L Galappathti RSP USP enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 02 January 1991 to the Intake 35. Upon successful completion of military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Gemunu Watch on 29 August 1992. He was steadily elevated to the substantive ranks and finally promoted to the rank of Major General on 30 September 2024.
The Senior Officer retires from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from 28 August 2025 upon reaching 55 years of age. At the time of his retirement, he held the appointment of the General Officer Commanding of 24 Infantry Division.
During his extensive military career, he served as the Platoon Commander of 8th Battalion, the Gemunu Watch, Officer Commanding of 8th Battalion, the Gemunu Watch, General Staff Officer 3 of Regimental Centre, the Gemunu Watch, Officer Commanding of 11th Battalion, the Gemunu Watch, Staff Officer 2 (Coordinating) of Joint Operations Headquarters (JOH), Staff Officer 2 (Logistics) of Regimental Centre, the Gemunu Watch, Officer Commanding of Sri Lanka Battalion at United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Second-in-Command of 19th Battalion, the Gemunu Watch, Officiating General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) of Headquarters in 56 Infantry Division, Commanding Officer of 5th Battalion, the Gemunu Watch, General Staff Officer 1 (Local Training) at Directorate of Training in Army Headquarters, General Staff Officer 1 (Coordinating) of Security Force Headquarters (Jaffna), Staff Officer 1 of Directorate of Media in Army Headquarters, Colonel (General Staff) of Headquarters in 62 Infantry Division, Commander of 682 Infantry Brigade, Head of the Research Analysis Projection & Development Wing at Directorate of Research, Concept and Doctrine in Army Headquarters, Centre Commandant of Regimental Centre, the Gemunu Watch and General Officer Commanding of 24 Infantry Division.
In recognition of his committed and valiant service to the Sri Lanka Army, he was awarded the Rana Wickrama Padakkama and the Uththama Seva Padakkama.
In terms of military training, he completed several local military training courses, including the Motor Transport Officers’ Course, Battalion Support Weapons Officers’ Course, Marksmanship Instructors’ Course, Unit Accounts Officers’ Course, Basic Parachute Course and Advanced Short Course on Geographic Information System (GIS) and Applications (Conducted by the University of Peradeniya).
His international training includes the Young Officers’ Infantry Course in Bangladesh, Junior Command Course in India and International Defence Management Course in the United States of America.
