29th March 2023 19:33:58 Hours
Major General H.D.K Heiyantuduwa RWP RSP of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, who held the appointment of Minister Counsellor (Defence) at the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Islamabad, Pakistan, just days before his retirement from the Army was invited to the office of the Army Chief, together with his family members on Wednesday (29).
During the meeting, Major General H.D.K Heiyantuduwa RWP RSP, who has served the Army for more than 34 years in an exemplary manner, received appreciative compliments and words of commendation from the Army Chief who also spoke highly of his working capacity, commitment and dedication to the Army as a member of the Infantry family.
The Army Chief refreshed memories of the retiree’s contribution and valuable roles during the height of the war against terrorism as an Infantry Officer of the highest calibre before May 2009.
The Army Chief while sharing a few pleasantries with his family members invited to the occasion also inquired into the retiring Senior Officer’s future endeavours and plans.
The Commander of the Army simultaneously commended the invaluable support that has been given to the Senior Officer by his family members throughout his career particularly during challenging times while the retiring Senior Officer was engaged in operations elsewhere in the battleground to safeguard the motherland.
Towards the end of the interactions, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage awarded a special memento to the retiring Senior Officer as a symbol of appreciation and commendation along with a special gift to the family. The gesture was reciprocated by the retiring Senior Officer.
Major General H.D.K Heiyantuduwa RWP RSP enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army on 23 January 1989 and underwent basic military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy - Diyatalawa in the Intake 31A before he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR). He was promoted to the rank of Major General on 18 May 2022.
He has been holding the office of the Minister Counsellor (Defence) to the High Commission of Sri Lanka in Islamabad, Pakistan at the time of his retirement. For his bravery and gallantry in the battlefield, he has been awarded the ‘Rana Wickrama Padakkama’ (RWP), and the ‘Rana Sura Padakkama’ (RSP).
He also held the appointments of Platoon Commander 7 SLSR, Staff Officer 3 (Administration) Directorate of Personnel Administration Army Headquarters, General Staff Officer 3 (Operations) 231 Infantry Brigade, Officer Commanding 8 SLSR, Staff Officer 2 Directorate of Media Army Headquarters, Second-In-Command 7 SLSR, Officer Commanding 9th Sri Lankan Battalion in Haiti for United Nations Stabilization Mission (MINUSTAH), Overlooking General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) 22 Infantry Division, Officiating General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) 57 Infantry Division, Commanding Officer 7 SLSR, Staff Officer 1 (Administration) Regimental Centre SLSR, General Staff Officer 1 Regimental Centre SLSR, Colonel General Staff 65 Infantry Division, Staff Officer Bureau of the Commissioner General Rehabilitation, Officiating Commander 513 Infantry Brigade, Commander 533 Infantry Brigade, Director (Operations) Disaster Management Centre and Director Directorate of Welfare Army Headquarters.
During his service period he has undergone many local and overseas courses including Platoon Commanders’ Tactics Course, Battalion Support Weapon Officers’ Course, Drill Arms Field Engineering Course Pakistan, Young Officers’ Course Pakistan, Junior Command Course India, Course for Staff of Joint Operations China, Unit Command Course Bangladesh and Gender Advisor Course Australia.
Furthermore, he has followed the Higher National Diploma in Journalism and Media Management at the Sri Lanka Foundation and following a Master of Science in Disaster Analysis, Management and Mitigation at the University of Colombo.
