09th January 2024 20:27:28 Hours
Major General S.R.K Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc, Commander of Security Forces - Jaffna and Officiating Colonel of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI), prior to his retirement from the Army after a notable career of 35 years, was invited this evening (09 Jan) to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, together with his family members.
During cordial interactions, the Army Chief appreciated the services of the retiring Senior Officer in different capacities and recalled memories in the battlefield and also in the post-war scenario. The Commander of the Army also made inquiries about his future plans, prospects and wished him good luck with his future endeavours.
While sharing a few pleasantries with the retiring Major General S.R.K Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc, the Commander of the Army did not forget to share a few words with his family members, who were also present. He also did not fail to mention the support that the retiree’s family members have always extended to the outgoing Officer in the performance of his challenging roles.
Major General S.R.K Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc also in turn thanked the Commander of the Army for his wishes and able guidance given to him while mentioning the encouragement he received during his tenure of service in the organization.
Towards the end of the interactions, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage awarded a special memento to the outgoing retiree as a symbol of appreciation and commendation along with a special gift to the family.
Here follows a brief profile of the retiring Senior Officer:
Major General S.R.K Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army on 06 October 1988 and underwent basic military training in the Kotelawala Defence University and the Sri Lanka Military Academy in the Intake KDU 6 before he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Sri Lanka Light Infantry. After being steadily elevated to subsequent ranks in the course of the span of service in the Army, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 02 August 2021.
He has been holding the offices of the Security Forces - Jaffna and Officiating Colonel of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Light Infantry at the time of his retirement. He also held the appointments of Platoon Commander of 4 SLLI, General Staff Officer 3 (Operations) of 2 Infantry Division, Officer Commanding of 4 SLLI, Adjutant of Training Wing at Infantry Training Centre, Officer Instructor of Officer Cadet Wing at Sri Lanka Military Academy, Brigade Major of 552 Infantry Brigade, Operations and Training Officer of 4 SLLI, Staff Officer 2 (Supply and Transport) of Directorate of Supply & Transport at Army Headquarters, Officer Commanding of Sri Lanka Battalion in United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), General Staff Officer 2 (Operations/Training) of 55 Infantry Division, Commanding Officer of 15 SLLI, Staff Officer (Deputy Chief U9) of Force Headquarters in United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) of Security Force Headquarters - South, General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) of Security Force Headquarters - West, Commander Training of Army Training School, Colonel (General Staff) of Security Force Headquarters - East, Colonel (General Staff) of General Staff Branch at Army Headquarters, Commander of 521 and 582 Infantry Brigades, Senior Directing Staff of National Defence College in Sri Lanka, General Officer Commanding of 62 Infantry Division and Commander of Security Forces - East.
For his bravery and gallantry in the battlefields, he has been awarded with ‘Rana Wickrama Padakkama’ and ‘Rana Sura Padakkama’.
He has followed many local and foreign courses during his military career, such as Platoon Commanders Tactics Course, Officers’ Operational Staff Duties Course, Battalion Support Weapons Officers’ Course, International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Human Rights (HR) Course, Basic Parachute Course, Army Command and Staff Course, Young Officers’ Infantry Course - Pakistan, Junior Command and Staff Course - Bangladesh, Senior Command Course - India, International Defence Officials Training Course - Vietnam and Defence and Strategic Studies Course - China.
The Senior Officer has also followed a number of higher educational and non-military courses, such as Diploma in Senior Level Defence Management at the Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, India, Bachelor of Arts (Defence Studies) at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy and Master of Military Science in Strategic Studies at the National Defence University, China.
