16th April 2024 19:15:57 Hours
Major General R.A.J.N. Ranasinghe RSP USP ndc, of the Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA), the General Officer Commanding of 61 Infantry Division, arrived at the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, on 16 April 2024, accompanied by his family members, prior to his retirement after a landmark career of more than 34 years in the Army.
During the cordial meeting, the Army Chief praised the retiring Senior Officer for his dedicated service and performance of diverse and challenging responsibilities with unfailing commitment and selflessness. He also recalled the retiree’s invaluable sacrifices and roles during the height of the war against terrorism before May 2009, as well as his effective discharge of duties in the post-war scenario.
In return, Major General R.A.J.N Ranasinghe RSP USP ndc thanked the Army Chief for the invitation and expressed his gratitude for the guidance extended to him in performing varied duties.
The Army Chief also commended the invaluable support given to the Senior Officer by his family throughout his career, particularly during challenging times when he was engaged in operations to safeguard the motherland away from home.
Towards the end of the interactions, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, the Commander of the Army awarded a special memento to the retiring Senior Officer as a symbol of appreciation and commendation, along with gifts to the family members.
Here follows a brief profile of the retiring Senior Officer;
Major General R.A.J.N Ranasinghe RSP USP ndc joined the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 14 July 1989. After completing military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa in Intake 32, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 19 January 1991 and posted to the Sri Lanka Artillery. Throughout his career, he held various appointments and steadily elevated to subsequent ranks, ultimately reaching the rank of Major General on 10 October 2022.
He held the office of the General Officer Commanding of 61 Infantry Division at the time of his retirement. He also held appointments such as Troop Commander and Battery Commander of 7 SLA, Staff Captain (Administration) and Brigade Major of Area Headquarters, Diyatalawa, Battery Commander of Headquarter Battery at 10 SLA, Second-in-Command of 4 SLA, Military Observer of the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO), General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) and Colonel (General Staff) of Task Force 7, Commanding Officer of 14 SLA, Staff Officer 1 (Logistics) of Regimental Centre, Sri Lanka Artillery, Colonel (General Staff) of 55 Infantry Division, Officiating Commander of 573 Infantry Brigade, Deputy Centre Commandant of Regimental Centre, Sri Lanka Artillery and General Officer Commanding of 62 Infantry Division.
For his bravery and gallantry on the battlefields, he has been awarded the ‘Rana Sura Padakkama’.
Further, he has completed numerous local and foreign courses during his military career, such as Artillery Young Officers’ Course, Platoon Commanders’ Tactics Course, Unit Administration Course, Officers’ Par Excellence Course, Junior Command Course, Potential Observers and Staff Officers Course, General Information Technology Skills Course, National Defence Course, Artillery Young Officers’ Course – India, Officers’ Locating Course – Pakistan, Regimental Signal Officers’ Course – India, Advanced Gunnery Course – India, Joint Operations Staff Course - China and Artillery Battalion Commander Course - China.
The Senior Officer also pursued Master of Science in National Security and Strategic Studies at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.
