14th January 2016 22:20:08 Hours
Brigadier K. Piyasoma (Retd), a veteran in the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) Regiment, passed away on Wednesday (13) at the age of 72 years. He boosts a distinguished military career of more than 28 years.
His remains are lying at Jayarathne Funeral Parlour, Borella.
The funeral with military honours will take place on Saturday (16) at the General Cemetery, Borella at 4.00 p.m.
Here follows the Part I Order issued by the Commander of the Army;
The Commander of the Army, all Officers and Other Ranks express their immense grief with intense feeling of profound sorrow and whole-hearted emotional sympathy on the demise of Brigadier K Piyasoma (Rtd) USP, on 13 January 2016.
Kiriporuwage Piyasoma, popularly known as Piyasoma, was born in Yatiyanthota on 29 April 1944. Ruwanwella Central College became his ‘Alma Mater’, where he excelled in academics whilst proving himself being an outstanding sportsman, highly admired by his colleagues and tutors.
Having concluded his secondary education, young Piyasoma joined the Sri Lanka Army as a Direct Enlisted Officer on 20 May 1971 with the intention of serving the motherland, and received his initial military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa. On completion of military training successfully, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 10 August 1971, and was posted to the Corps of Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineering. Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Regiment became his first home as an Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Officer where he commenced his career as an Officer and Gentleman. There onwards, he displayed his prowess and professionalism in all spheres of military activities throughout his 28 years of reckonable service in the Sri Lanka Army.
In recognition of his absolute dedication, commitment, competence and loyalty displayed, Second Lieutenant K Piyasoma was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 20 November 1972, Captain on 20 November 1975 and to the rank of Major on 20 November 1979. His aspiring leadership was further rewarded by promoting him to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 15 October 1988, Colonel on 10 November 1991, and to the rank of Brigadier on 01 September 1994.
During his illustrious military career, Brigadier K Piyasoma (Rtd) USP has held many appointments in different capacities. Some of the key appointments that he held were;
Officer Commanding - Filed Work Shop - Panagoda
Staff Officer Grade - I - 2 Division
Commanding Officer - 2 Battalion SLEME
Colonel (Admin and Quartering) - 21 Division
Staff Officer Grade - I - Army Welfare
Commanding Officer - Army Headquarters Battalion
Colonel (Admin and Quartering) - 2 Division
Colonel (Admin and Quartering) - 3 Division
Logistic Commander - Headquarters Logistic Command
Commander - Area Headquarters - Kurunegala
Senior Civil Affairs Officer - Headquarters Security Force (Wanni)
Brigadier K Piyasoma (Rtd) USP has followed number of local and overseas courses at different stages of his military career and he imparted the knowledge gained from the courses that he followed for overall success of his regiment in particular and the Army in general. Some of the prominent courses of training were;
Young Officers’ Course - Army Training Centre - Minneriya
Platoon Commander Course - Diyatalawa
Senior Tactics and Staff Course - Diyatalawa
Graduate Officers’ Equipment Orientation Course - India
Young Officers’ Course - India
Officer Armament and Instrument Engineering Course - India
Work Shop Company Commander - India
Senior EME Officers’ Course - India
Brigadier K Piyasoma (Rtd) USP was awarded following decorations and medals of honour in appreciation of his exemplary service rendered to the Army and the Nation which stands a testimony to his outstanding and dedicated military career.
Uttama Seva Padakkama
Purna Bhumi Padakkama
North and East Operations Medal
Riviresa Campaign Service Medal
Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal
50th Independence Anniversary Medal
Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal
Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
President’s Inauguration Medal
Brigadier K Piyasoma (Rtd) USP was a source of encouragement and inspiration to the Officers and Other Ranks of the Army as well. He always deserved high esteem amongst his peers and colleagues for his absolute integrity and honesty. His patriotic contribution and immense guidance as a Senior Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Officer led the Corps of Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineering along the path of success. Further, he immensely contributed to uplift the status of welfare and overall wellbeing of the soldiers deployed in Corps of Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineering Battalions.
The last rites of late Brigadier K Piyasoma (Rtd) USP will be held at 1600 hours on 16 January 2016 at the General Cemetery, Borella with full military honours. At this moment, the Commander of the Army and All Ranks join the family members at their hour of grief.
Late Brigadier K Piyasoma (Rtd) USP, though you have departed, your name and exceptional services rendered to the Army and the Nation will forever remain imprinted in our hearts, as a great patriot of the Motherland.
‘MAY HE ATTAIN THE SUPREME BLESS OF NIBBANA’
