22nd August 2024 20:45:09 Hours
Major General S.W.M Fernando WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc along with his spouse was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, on 22 August 2024, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army after a distinguished career spanning 35 years.
During the meeting, the Army Chief commended the Senior Officer for his unwavering dedication and exemplary performance in various challenging roles throughout his tenure, both during the war and in the post-war era. The Commander also acknowledged the pivotal role played by his family in supporting his career.
In response, Major General S.W.M Fernando expressed profound gratitude for the steadfast guidance and support provided by the Army Chief. At the conclusion of the interaction, 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 follows a brief discription about the Senior Officer:
Major General S.W.M Fernando enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet in Intake 31-PMA on 20 January 1989.
After successfully completing military training at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) and the Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and posted to the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps on 05 October 1990. He steadily elevated to the subsequent Ranks during his service in the Army and was promoted to the Rank of Major General on 04 February 2022. The Senior Officer to be retired from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army on 24 August 2024, upon reaching 55 years of age. Prior to his retirement, he held the appointments of Commander, Security Forces (West) and Colonel Commandant, Sri Lanka Armoured Corps.
Throughout his career, he held various key appointments, including Troop Leader at the 3rd Armoured Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Intelligence Officer of Security Coordinating Headquarters-Valaichchenai, Troop Leader at the 4th Armoured Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Second-in-Command of ‘B’ Squadron in the 4th Armoured Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Adjutant of the 4th Armoured Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Officer Commanding ‘C’ Squadron of the 4th Armoured Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, General Staff Officer 2 (Administration) at the Regimental Centre of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Personal Security Officer to Honourable Mahinda Rajapaksa, the Minister of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, Chief Instructor of the Armoured Corps Training Centre, General Staff Officer 2 (Coordinating) at the Army Command and Staff College, Personal Security Officer to the Prime Minister of Sri Lanka, Honourable Mahinda Rajapaksa, Commanding Officer of the 1st Regiment of the President’s Guard, Aide-De-Camp to the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency Mahinda Rajapaksa, Senior Security Coordinator to the former President, Honourable Mahinda Rajapaksa, Colonel General Staff of Security Forces Headquarters (Kilinochchi), Officiating Commander of 551 Infantry Brigade, Commander of the Armoured Brigade, Secretary of the National Defence College, Senior Directing Staff (Army) of the National Defence College, General Officer Commanding of the 51 Infantry Division, Military Secretary of Army Headquarters, Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, and Commander of Security Forces (West).
The Senior Officer has been awarded the Weera Wickrama Vibushanaya, 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 Course, Basic Parachute Course, Computer Course, Army Command and Staff Course, Young Officers (Armour) Course in India, Operation of Main Battle Tank T-55 AM2 Course in the Czech Republic, Armour Instructor Course in Pakistan, VVIP Protection Course in France, VIP Protection Course in India, New Issues in Security Course in Switzerland, Senior Command Course in India, and the National Security and Strategic Studies Course in India.
The Senior Officer also pursued several higher education and non-military courses, such as a Diploma in Senior-Level Defence Management at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya in India and a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Defence and Strategic Studies at the University of Madras in India.
