13th November 2024 05:31:32 Hours
Major General S.W.B. Welagedara RSP VSV USP ndc, Director General Infantry, Army Headquarters and Colonel of the Regiment of the Gemunu Watch, was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, on 12 November 2024, along with his family, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army.
During the meeting, the Army Chief commended the Senior Officer for his unwavering dedication and exemplary service in various challenging roles throughout his career, both during the war and in the post-war era. The Commander of the Army also acknowledged the pivotal role played by his family in supporting him throughout his career. In response, Major General S.W.B. Welagedara RSP VSV USP ndc expressed his profound gratitude for the steadfast guidance and support provided by the Army Chief. After 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 gifts for his family.
Here follows a brief profile of the retiring Senior Officer:
Major General S.W.B. Welagedara RSP VSV USP ndc enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army in Intake 29 as an Officer Cadet on 22 February 1988. Upon successfully completing military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and posted to the Gemunu Watch on 16 December 1989. After steadily elevating through the ranks during his service, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 3 August 2022. The Senior Officer will retire from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army from 18 November 2024, upon reaching 55 years of age.
Throughout his career, he held various key appointments, including Platoon Commander and Officer Commanding of the 4th Battalion of the Gemunu Watch, Squadron Commander at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy, Officer Commanding of the 4th and 12th Battalions of the Gemunu Watch, Staff Officer 2 (Administration) at the Regimental Centre of the Gemunu Watch, Officer Commanding of the Sri Lanka Battalion in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), General Staff Officer 2 (Operations) of Headquarters 23 Infantry Division, Second-in-Command of the 7th Battalion of the Gemunu Watch, General Staff Officer 2 (Operations) of the Security Force Headquarters (Wanni), General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) of the Security Force Headquarters (Wanni), Commanding Officer of the 8th Battalion of the Gemunu Watch, Officer-in-Charge of the Volunteer Coordinating Office at the Regimental Centre of the Gemunu Watch, Staff Officer 1 (Officer Career Planning Section) at the Regimental Centre of the Gemunu Watch, Colonel (General Staff) at Headquarters 62 Infantry Division, Colonel (Military Secretary) of the Officers’ Branch at Headquarters Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Colonel (General Staff) at Headquarters 64 Infantry Division, Commander of the 612 Infantry Brigade, Centre Commandant of the Regimental Centre Military Intelligence Corps, Commandant of the Centre for Army Vocational Training (CAVT), General Officer Commanding of the 24 Infantry Division, General Officer Commanding of the 51 Infantry Division, Colonel of the Regiment of the Gemunu Watch, and Director General of Infantry at the Directorate of Infantry at Army Headquarters.
He was awarded the Rana Sura Padakkama for his bravery on the battlefield and Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya for his exceptional, distinguished and loyal service. Throughout his military career, the Senior Officer has completed numerous local and foreign courses, including the Special Assault Platoon Course, Battalion Support Weapons Officers’ Course, Unit Administration Course, Young Officers’ Course, National Security and Strategic Studies Course in Sri Lanka, Regimental Signal Officers' Course in India, Young Officers’ Infantry Course in Pakistan, Junior Command Course in India and Senior Command Course in India.
