Army Chief Commends Retiring Senior Officer's Services

Major General Nishantha Herath of the Sri Lanka Engineers, Commandant, Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) and Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Engineers on the verge of his retirement from the Army, having completed an illustrious service of more than 35 years was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage at the Army Headquarters on Monday (20).

During the interactive meet, the Army Chief commended Major General Nishantha Herath’s dedicated and committed roles in various capacities and his exemplary conduct for more than 35 years.

He also recalled his sacrifices during the humanitarian operations, in which the senior officer performed his duties as the Commanding Officer - 5 Field Engineer Regiment providing combat engineering support for all field formations in the Wanni theater connecting the West coast to the East coast even after having sustained injuries and turned differently able during March 2007-December 2008.

Similarly, the Army Chief appreciated the retiring Senior Officer’s professional legal consultations, made on behalf of the organization during his office there and how he rendered his services as the Director General Training at the Army HQ prior to the current appointment at the DSCSC.

He sustained serious injuries in the year 1990 while engaging in operations in the Eastern Theater after the declaration of the Second Eelam war. After recovering from the injuries, he bravely rendered his service in high intensive battles despite his disability. Major General Nishantha Herath has manintatined the highest standards of discipline and counts over 35 years of dedicated, committed and unblemished service in the Sri Lanka Army.

He has been decorated with the Desha Putra Paddakkama due to injury in action, Uttama Seva Padakkama, 50th Independence Day Anniversary Medal, 50th anniversary Medal Sri Lanka Army, North and East Operational Medal, Purna Bumi Medal, Riviresa Campaign Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for his bravery.

The outgoing Senior Officer also thanked the Commander of the Army for his wishes and the thoughtfulness while mentioning about the encouragement he received from the Army Chief in the performance of his duties. Towards the end of the interaction, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage awarded a special memento to the outgoing Major General Nishantha Herath as a symbol of appreciation and commendation.

Mrs Mihiri Herath, Chairperson, Sri Lanka Engineers SVU and their two daughters were also associated with the meet at the Commander's office.