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Funeral of late Major General K. Jagath Wijethilleke RWP USP ndc psc, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation who passed away after a sudden illness on Saturday (4) takes place on Tuesday (7) at the General Cemetery, Borella with full military honours. Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva expresses his profound sorrow and immense grief on the demise of Major General K. Jagath Wijethilleke of the Sri Lanka Engineers who has held a number of key appointments in the Army and served the nation with dedication and commitment.
A Special Order of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, issued through the office of the Adjutant General is to be read out at the military funeral on Tuesday (7).
Born in Ambalangoda in 1962, he received his education at Colombo Ananda College as a brilliant student while proving himself to be an outstanding cricketer in the college. Enlisted to the Army on 31 August 1981 as an Officer Cadet in the Short Service Commission 3A Intake, he received his initial military training at the Diyatalawa Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) to be commissioned as a 2 Lieutenant to the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers.
Through his tireless commitment and dedication to the service of his motherland, he subsequently rose to the rank of Lieutenant (1983), Captain (1986), Major (1995), Lieutenant Colonel (1997), Colonel (2004), Brigadier (2006) and Major General on 01 October 2012.
Some of the distinguished and important appointments he held during his career are as follows;
A Troop and a Squadron Commander of Field Engineer Regiment, The Adjutant of 1 Field Engineer Regiment, Officer Instructor – Sri Lanka Military Academy, General Staff Officer II (Operations) – 21 Brigade, Staff Officer II – Directorate of Engineer Services / Engineer Brigade, General Staff Officer II – Directorate of Operations, General Staff Officer II - Directorate of Staff Duties, Officer Instructor – Tactics Wing, Army Training School, General Staff Officer I (Operations) – Task Force 2, General Staff Officer I (Operations) – 53 Division, Commanding Officer of 8 Field Engineer Regiment, Directing Staff, Army Command and Staff College, Officiating Brigade Commander, 516 Brigade, Colonel Military Secretariat, Military Secretary's Branch, Army Head Quarters, Director Recruiting, Army Head Quarters, Commander, Area Headquarters (GALLE), Brigadier Coordinating, Defence Services Command and Staff College, Commander, Engineer Brigade, Chief Instructor, Defence Services Command and Staff College, Officiating General Officer Commanding, 64 Division, General Officer Commanding 68 Division and Director General Rehabilitation – Bureau of the Commissioner General Rehabilitation.
During his career of 34 years, he was able to attend several courses of studies in foreign countries, including Pakistan, India, Singapore and Bangladesh. His graduation from College of Military Engineering and Army Command and Staff College Pakistan, Senior Command Course India and National Defence College Bangladesh.
Many medals were awarded to him in recognition his dedication, commitment, efficiency and loyalty during his service including the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) for his bravery in the battlefield.
Some of those medals are as follows; Uttama Seva Padakkama, East Humanitarian Operation Medal, North Humanitarian Operation Medal, Poornabhumi Padakkama, North and East Operational Medal, Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal and Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal.
During his military career he contributed immensely to the betterment of the Army and won the admiration of both his superiors and subordinates. He who was always held in high esteem among his peers and colleagues for his absolute integrity and honesty, was a source of encouragement and inspiration to Officers and Other Ranks of the Army.
The last rites of Late Major General K J Wijetilleke RWP USP ndc psc with full military honours will be held on 07 July 2015 at 1730 hours at the General Cemetery, Borella.
