29th January 2025 05:57:46 Hours
Major General B.I Assalaratchi USP psc ptsc was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, on 28th January 2025, accompanied by 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 in the post-war period. The Commander of the Army also acknowledged the crucial support provided by his family throughout his tenure.
In response, Major General B.I Assalaratchi USP psc ptsc expressed his profound gratitude for the steadfast guidance and support extended by the Army Chief. At the conclusion 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.
Below is a brief profile of the Retiring Senior Officer:
Major General B.I Assalaratchi USP psc ptsc enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet into the Intake KDA 08 on 12th 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 Sri Lanka Signal Corps on 14th November 1992.
After elevating through the ranks during his service in the Army, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 16th February 2024. The Senior Officer is set to retire from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army on 4th February 2025, upon reaching the age of 55. Prior to his retirement, he held the appointment of Director General, Centre for Defence Research and Development (CDRD), Ministry of Defence.
Throughout his career, he held various key appointments, including Troop Commander of the 4th Regiment, Sri Lanka Signal Corps, Officer Commanding of C Troop at the 4th Regiment, Sri Lanka Signal Corps, Platoon Commander of the Internal Security Platoon in Mannar, Instructor at the School of Signals, Signal Officer at the Headquarters of the 51 Infantry Division, Officer Instructor at the Officer Cadet Wing, Sri Lanka Military Academy, Signal Officer at the Headquarters of the 54 Infantry Division, and Officer Commanding of the Communication Squadron of the 4th Regiment, Sri Lanka Signal Corps.
Additionally, he served as Signal Officer at the Headquarters of the 52 Infantry Division, Adjutant of the 6th Reinforcement (RFT) Regiment, Sri Lanka Signal Corps, Officer Commanding of the 6th Reinforcement (RFT) Regiment, Sri Lanka Signal Corps, Staff Officer 2 at the Signal Base Workshop in Panagoda, Officer Commanding of the Headquarters/Communication Squadron, 1st Regiment, Sri Lanka Signal Corps, Second-in-Command of the 1st Regiment, Sri Lanka Signal Corps, General Staff Officer 2 (Coordinating/Staff Duties) at the Directorate of Operations, Army Headquarters, and Second-in-Command of the 7th Reinforcement (RFT) Regiment, Sri Lanka Signal Corps.
He also served as Commanding Officer (Overlooking) of the 7th Reinforcement Regiment, Sri Lanka Signal Corps, General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) at the Headquarters of the 51 Infantry Division, Staff Officer 1 (Grievance Handling) in the Military Secretary’s Branch, Army Headquarters, Staff Officer 1 (Investigation Cell) in the Military Secretary’s Branch, Army Headquarters, Commanding Officer of the 5th Regiment, Sri Lanka Signal Corps, Staff Officer 1 at the Military Liaison Officer’s (MLO) Office, Ministry of Defence, Commandant of the School of Signals, Chief Coordinator at the Centre for Defence Research and Development (CDRD), Commander of the 543 Infantry Brigade, Commander of the Signal Brigade, Director of the Border Risk Assessment Centre (BRAC), Ministry of Defence, and Director General at the Centre for Defence Research and Development (CDRD).
In recognition of his exceptional, distinguished, and loyal service, he was awarded the Uththama Seva Padakkama.
During his military career, he completed numerous local and international training courses, including the Unit Security Officers’ Course, Basic Computer Course, and Army Command and Staff Course in Sri Lanka. His international training included the Young Officers (Signals) Special Basic Course in Pakistan, the Mainstreaming Gender into Community-Based Disaster Risk Management Training Course in Kenya, the 19th International Symposium Course in China, the United Nations Civil-Military Coordination Course in Japan, and the Technical Staff College Course in India.
In addition, the Senior Officer pursued higher education, earning a Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs at the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI), a Postgraduate Diploma (Defence Studies) in Management at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, and a Master of Science in Military Technology at Savitribai Phule Pune University in India.
