7th April 2026
Major General K.P.P. Karunanayaka was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, on 07 April 2026, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army after a distinguished military career spanning over 33 years.
Brief profile of the retiring Senior Officer:
Major General K.P.P. Karunanayaka enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet of Intake KDA 10 on 08 November 1992. Upon successful completion of military training at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy - Ratmalana and the Sri Lanka Military Academy - Diyatalawa, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Gemunu Watch on 16 December 1994. After being steadily elevated to subsequent ranks, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 03 January 2026. The Senior Officer will retire from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from 14 April 2026 on reaching 55 years of age. At the time of retirement, he holds the appointment of Deputy General Officer Commanding of 12 Infantry Division.
Throughout his illustrious military career, the Senior Officer has held numerous key appointments. He has served as the Platoon Commander, 7 Battalion the Gemunu Watch, Instructor, Training Wing, Regimental Headquarters, the Gemunu Watch, Platoon Commander, 11 Battalion the Gemunu Watch, Officer Commanding, 11 Battalion the Gemunu Watch, Instructor, Army Training School, General Staff Officer 3 (Operations), Directorate of Operations, Army Headquarters, Officer Commanding, 7 Battalion the Gemunu Watch, Staff Officer 2, Transit Camp, Rathmalana, General Staff Officer 2 (Operations), Headquarters, 55 Infantry Division, Second-in-Command, 19 Battalion the Gemunu Watch, Staff Officer, Sri Lanka Battalion, United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), General Staff Officer 2 (Operations), Headquarters, 68 Infantry Division, Officiating General Staff Officer 1 (Operations), Headquarters, 68 Infantry Division, Staff Officer 1 (Administration), Headquarters, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, and Staff Officer 1 (Administration and Quartering), 68 Infantry Division.
During his tenure, the Senior Officer has performed duties as the Commanding Officer, 9 Battalion the Gemunu Watch, Commander, Sector 17 A, Katukurunda, General Staff Officer 1 (Additional), Directorate of Operations, Army Headquarters, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Recruit Training Coordinating Centre, Colonel (General Staff), Headquarters, 56 Infantry Division, Officiating Commander, 562 Infantry Brigade, Commander, 662 Infantry Brigade, Commander, 581 Infantry Brigade, Director, Ranaviru Seva Authority, Brigadier (General Staff), Security Force Headquarters (East) and Deputy General Officer Commanding of 12 Infantry Division.
The Senior Officer has successfully followed several local and overseas courses including the Regimental Signal Officers Course, Basic Marksmanship Course, Junior Staff Course, Unit Accounts Course for Officers, Unit Coachers Course, Basic Parachute Training Course, Junior Command Course, International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Instructor Training Course, and Potential Military Observers and Staff Officers Course. Overseas training includes the Young Officers Tactical Course in Pakistan, Junior Command Course in India, and Senior Command Course in India.
In addition to his military qualifications, the Senior Officer has obtained a Bachelor of Arts (Defence Studies) at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and a National Diploma in Counselling conducted by Sri Lanka Foundation in 2014.
