18th April 2024 20:30:34 Hours
Major General M.K.U.P Gunaratne RSP ndu psc IG, the Commander, Security Forces - East and Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps, arrived at the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, on 17 April 2024, along with his family members, prior to his retirement after a landmark career of more than 35 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 M.K.U.P Gunaratne RSP ndu psc IG 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 engaged in operations to safeguard the motherland away from home.
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 gifts to his family members.
Here follows a brief profile of the retiring Senior Officer:
Major General M.K.U.P Gunaratne RSP ndu psc IG joined the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 17 February 1989. After completing military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa and the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) in Intake 31- PMA, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 05 October 1990 and posted to the Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA). Throughout his career, he held various appointments and steadily elevated to subsequent ranks, ultimately reaching the rank of Major General on 17 May 2022.
He held the offices of the Commander, Security Forces - East and Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps at the time of his retirement. He also held appointments such as Troop Commander and Adjutant 7 SLA, Staff Officer 3 (Logistics) of Artillery Brigade, Battery Commander of 7 SLA, Officer Instructor of Officer Cadet Training Wing at Sri Lanka Military Academy, Brigade Major of 223 Infantry Brigade, Battery Commander of 9 SLA, General Staff Officer 2 (Training) of 21 Infantry Division, Second-in-Command of 9 SLA, General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) of Security Force Headquarters - East, Commanding Officer of 11 SLA, General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) of 11 Infantry Division, Senior Instructor of Officer Career Development Centre (OCDC), Colonel (General Staff) of 11 Infantry Division, Commandant of the School of Artillery, Officiating Commander of 623 Infantry Brigade, Deputy Centre Commandant and Centre Commandant of Regimental Centre Sri Lanka Artillery, Brigadier (General Staff) of Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna and General Officer Commanding of 55 Infantry Division.
For his bravery and gallantry on the battlefield, he has been awarded the ‘Rana Sura Padakkama’.
He has completed numerous local and foreign courses during his military career, such as Artillery Young Officers’ Course, Platoon Commanders’ Tactics Course, Officers’ Operational Staff Duties Course, Junior Staff Course, Army Command and Staff Course, Artillery Young Officers’ Course - India, Advanced Gunnery Course - India, Officers Gunnery Staff Course - Pakistan, Artillery Battalion Commander Course - China and National Defence and Strategic Studies Course - China.
The Senior Officer also pursued a number of higher educational and non-military courses, such as Eye Movement and Desensitization Therapy Training at Sri Lanka EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) Association, National Diploma in Counselling at Sri Lanka Foundation, Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling & Psychosocial Support at University of Colombo, Higher National Diploma in Counselling at Sri Lanka Foundation and Masters in Counselling and Psychosocial Support at University of Colombo.
