15th January 2025 15:51:08 Hours
Major General R.P.A.R.P. Rajapaksa RSP was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, on 15th January 2025, along with his family members, 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 against terrorism and the post-war period. The Commander of the Army also acknowledged the pivotal support provided by his family throughout his tenure.
In response, Major General R.P.A.R.P. Rajapaksa RSP expressed his profound gratitude for the steadfast guidance and support extended by the Army Chief. Towards the end of the meeting, the Commander of the Army presented a special memento to the retiring Senior Officer as a token of appreciation, along with gifts for his family.
Brief Profile of the Retiring Senior Officer as follows:
Major General R.P.A.R.P. Rajapaksa RSP enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army in Intake KDA 08 as an Officer Cadet on 3rd November 1990. Upon successfully completing his military training at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy, Ratmalana, and the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Gajaba Regiment on 14th November 1992.
After steadily elevating through the ranks during his service in the Army, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 3rd May 2024. The Senior Officer will retire from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army on 18th January 2025 upon reaching the age of 55. Prior to his retirement, he held the appointment of General Officer Commanding, 54 Infantry Division.
Throughout his career, he held various key appointments, including Platoon Commander of the 1st Battalion of Gajaba Regiment, Officer Commanding of the 1st Battalion of the Gajaba Regiment, Instructor at the Recruit Training Wing of the Regimental Centre of Gajaba Regiment, Troop Commander at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy and Officer Instructor at the Infantry Training Centre. He also served as Officer Commanding of the 8th Battalion and 9th Battalion of Gajaba Regiment, Sector Commander of the 112 Infantry Brigade, Officer Commanding of Rear Headquarters of Gajaba Regiment - Kohuwala, Second-in-Command of the 8th Battalion of Gajaba Regiment, and Commanding Officer of the 12th Battalion of Gajaba Regiment.
In addition, he held the roles of General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) at the Headquarters of the 14 Infantry Division, Colonel (General Staff) at Security Force Headquarters (Kilinochchi), Officiating Commander of the 523 Infantry Brigade, Commander of the 212 Infantry Brigade, Director of Training and Doctrine at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (OCDS), Director at the Directorate of Welfare - Army Headquarters, Deputy General Officer Commanding of the 55 Infantry Division, and General Officer Commanding of the 54 Infantry Division.
The Senior Officer has been awarded the Rana Sura Padakkama (twice) in recognition of his bravery on the battlefield.
He has also completed numerous local and international training courses during his military career, including the Motor Transport Officers’ Course and the Junior Commanders’ Course conducted at the Sri Lanka Air Force Academy, Chinabay. His international training includes the Young Officers Tactical Course in Pakistan, the Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration Course in Bangladesh, and the Senior Defence Management Course in India.
