19th July 2024 14:38:44 Hours
Major General P.C.L Gunawardana (Retd) RWP RSP psc was invited to the Office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, on 18 July 2024, together with his spouse, after retiring from the Sri Lanka Army, completing a notable career spanning 33 years.
During the meeting, the Army Chief lauded the Senior Officer for his unwavering dedication and exemplary performance in various challenging roles throughout his tenure, both during the war against terrorism and in the post-war era. The Commander also acknowledged the pivotal role played by his dedicated family throughout his career.
In response, Major General P.C.L Gunawardana (Retd) RWP RSP psc expressed profound gratitude for the steadfast guidance and support given to him by the Army Chief. Towards the end of the interactions, the Commander of the Army presented a special memento to the retiring Senior Officer as a symbol of appreciation and commendation, along with a gift for his spouse.
Here is a brief profile of the retiring Senior Officer:
Major General P.C.L Gunawardana (Retd) RWP RSP psc enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet in Intake - 35 on 02 January 1991. After successfully completing 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 steadily elevated in the ranks during his service in the Army and was promoted to the rank of Major General on 18 May 2024. The Senior Officer retired from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army on 28 May 2024 upon reaching 55 years of age. Prior to his retirement, he held the appointment of Director, Directorate of Research Concept & Doctrine at Army Headquarters.
He held various appointments during his career, including Platoon Commander of the 6 Battalion Gemunu Watch, Officer Commanding of the 6 Battalion Gemunu Watch, Operational and Training Officer of the 6 Battalion Gemunu Watch, Staff Officer 2 (Administration) at the Regimental Centre, Gemunu Watch, Officer Instructor at the Officer Cadet Wing, Sri Lanka Military Academy, General Staff Officer 2 (Operations) at Headquarters, 52 Infantry Division, Staff Officer 2 (Additional) at the Career Progression Cell, Military Secretary’s Branch, Army Headquarters, Officer Commanding of the Sri Lanka Battalion of United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Second-in-Command of the 7 Battalion Gemunu Watch, Officiating General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) at Security Force Headquarters (East), Commanding Officer of the 7 Battalion Gemunu Watch, Directing Staff at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Staff Officer at the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Staff Officer (Grievances Handling) at the Military Secretary’s Branch, Army Headquarters, Military Planning Officer at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, Colonel (General Staff) at Headquarters, 68 Infantry Division, Officiating Commander of the 622 Infantry Brigade, Chief Instructor at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Brigadier (General Staff) at Headquarters, 1 Corps and Director of the Directorate of Research Concept & Doctrine at Army Headquarters.
The Senior Officer has been awarded the Rana Wickrama Padakkama and Rana Sura Padakkama in recognition of his dedicated service during his tenure in the Sri Lanka Army. He has completed numerous local and foreign courses during his military career, including the Platoon Commanders Tactics Course, Battalion Support Weapons Officers’ Course, Basic Marksmanship Course, Army Command and Staff Course, Young Officers’ Tactics Course in Pakistan, Junior Command and Staff Course in Bangladesh, Battalion Support Weapons Officers’ Course (Mortar Leg) in India and Staff Course in India.
The Senior Officer also pursued several higher educational and non-military courses, such as a Master of Defence Studies at the University of Kelaniya and a Master of Science in Defence & Strategic Studies at the University of Madras, India.
