Commander of the Army Praises Renowned Service of Retiring Senior Officer

Major General S Kasturimudali RSP ndc psc, General Officer Commanding, 56 Infantry Division and Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps was invited to the Office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, on 18 October 2024, along with his family members, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army after a distinguished 35-year service.

During the meeting, the Army Chief commended the Senior Officer for his unwavering dedication and exemplary performance in various challenging roles throughout his service, both during the war against terrorism and in the post-war period.

The Commander also acknowledged the pivotal support provided by his family throughout his career.

In response, Major General S Kasturimudali RSP ndc psc, expressed his profound gratitude for the steadfast guidance and support offered by the Army Chief. Toward 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.

Here is a brief profile of the retiring Senior Officer:

Major General S Kasturimudali RSP ndc psc, enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army to the Intake 32 as an Officer Cadet on 14 July 1989. Upon successful completion of military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy - Diyatalawa, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Gemunu Watch on 19 January 1991. After being steadily elevated to subsequent ranks in the course of the span of service in the Army, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 10 October 2022. The Senior Officer retired from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from 23 October 2024 on reaching 55 years of age, and at the time of his retirement, he was holding the appointments of General Officer Commanding, 56 Infantry Division and Colonel Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps.

Throughout his career, he held various key appointments, including Platoon Commander and Officer Commanding of the 6th Battalion the Gemunu Watch, General Staff Officer 3 of the Army Command and Staff College, Brigade Major of the Headquarters - 553 Infantry Brigade, Major (Administration and Quartering) of the Area Headquarters – Galle, Brigade Major of the Headquarters - 214 Infantry Brigade, Staff Officer of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Officiating General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) of the Headquarters - 52 Infantry Division, Commanding Officer of the 3rd Reinforcement (RFT) Battalion the Gemunu Watch, Commanding Officer of the 27th Battalion the Gemunu Watch, General Staff Officer 1 (Coordinating) of the Headquarters - 12 Infantry Division, General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) of the Headquarters - 12 Infantry Division, Commanding Officer of the Training Wing - Combat Training School, Colonel (General Staff) of the Headquarters - 24 Infantry Division, Colonel (General Staff) of the Security Force Headquarters (Mullaitivu), Colonel (Strategic and Doctrine) of the Headquarters - Army Training Command, Colonel (Training) of the Directorate of Training - Army Headquarters, Officiating Commander of the 515 Infantry Brigade, Commander of the 682 Infantry Brigade, Commander of the 143 Infantry Brigade, Director of the Directorate of Assets Management - Army Headquarters, Commandant of the Army Training School, General Officer Commanding of the 68 Infantry Division, General Officer Commanding of the 56 Infantry Division and Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps.

The Senior Officer has been awarded Rana Sura Padakkama in recognition of his bravery on the battlefield.

During his tenure, the Senior Officer initiated an eye clinic programme for vision-impaired individuals in the Security Forces (Wanni) area, facilitating eye check-ups and the donation of spectacles to needy residents.

He also completed numerous local and foreign training courses during his military career, including Platoon Commanders Tactics Course, Motor Transport Officers’ Course, Battalion Support Weapons Officers’ Course, Regimental Signal Officers Course, Young Officers Course, Army Command and Staff Course, National Security and Strategic Studies Course, Young Officers’ Infantry Course - Pakistan, Junior Command Course - India, United Nations Military Observer Course - Switzerland and Intermediate Command Programme- China.

In addition, the Senior Officer pursued higher education, earning a Master of Science in National Security and Strategic Studies at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and a Master of Science in Security and Strategic Studies at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.