27th December 2023 19:37:12 Hours
Major General U.D Wijesekera RWP RSP USP rcds psc, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) and Colonel of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR), just prior to his retirement from the Army after a notable career of 35 years was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, this morning (27 Dec), together with his family members.
During cordial interactions, the Army Chief lauded and appreciated the services of the retiring Senior Officer in different capacities and recalled undying memories in the battlefield and also in the post-war scenario. The Commander of the Army also inquired about his future plans, prospects and other engagements before he wished him good luck with his future endeavours.
While sharing a few pleasantries with the retiring Major General U.D Wijesekera RWP RSP USP rcds psc, the Commander of the Army also did not forget to share a few words with his wife and the daughter who were associated with the occasion. He also did not fail to mention the support that the retiree’s family members have always lent to the outgoing Officer in the performance of his challenging duty roles at different appointments and locations.
Major General U.D Wijesekera RWP RSP USP rcds psc, also in turn thanked the Commander of the Army for his wishes and able guidance while mentioning the encouragement he received all the time during his tenure of service in the organization. Towards the end of the interactions, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage awarded a special memento to the outgoing retiree as a symbol of appreciation and commendation along with a special gift to the family.
Here follows a brief profile of the retiring Senior Officer;
Major General U.D Wijesekera RWP RSP USP rcds psc was enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 26 July 1988. Upon successful completion of military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa in the Intake 30, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) on 09 June 1990. 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 07 May 2021.
He has been holding the offices of Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) and Colonel of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR) at the time of his retirement. He also held the appointments of Platoon Commander and Officer Commanding of 7 SLSR, Officer Instructor of Infantry Training Centre, Officer Commanding of 1 SLSR, Brigade Major of 231 and 522 Infantry Brigades, Officer Commanding of Sri Lanka Battalion at United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), General Staff Officer 2 (UN Cell) of Directorate of Operations at Army Headquarters, Second-In-Command of 6 SLSR, Overlooking Commanding Officer of Headquarter Battalion at Army Headquarters, Commanding Officer of 20 SLSR, General Staff Officer 1 of Directorate of Staff Duties at Army Headquarters, Officiating Colonel (General Staff) of Army Training Command, Colonel (General Staff) of Directorate of Operations at Army Headquarters, Officiating Commander of 593 Infantry Brigade, Assistant Military Secretary 2 and 3 of Military Secretary’s Branch at Army Headquarters, Deputy Commandant of Defence Services Command and Staff College, General Officer Commanding of 54 Infantry Division, Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Army Women's Corps, Commander of Security Forces – Mullaitivu, Commander of Security Forces – East and Commander of Security Forces – West.
For his bravery and gallantry in the battlefields, he has been awarded with ‘Rana Wickrama Padakkama’ and ‘Rana Sura Padakkama’.
He has followed many local and foreign courses during his military career, such as Platoon Commander's Tactics Course, Platoon Commander's Combat Leadership Course, Unit Administration Course, Battalion Support Weapon Officers’ Course, Army Command and Staff Course, Defence Attaché Orientation Course in Defence and Diplomacy, Leadership and Team Building Course, Young Officers’ Infantry Course – Pakistan, Junior Command Course – India, Basic Parachute Course – India, Senior Command Course – India, National Armed Forces Command and Staff College Course – Indonesia, Royal College of Defence Studies Course - United Kingdom and the United Nations Induction Training Course – Haiti.
The Senior Officer has also followed a number of higher educational and non-military courses, such as Postgraduate Diploma in Human Rights at the University of Colombo, Diploma in Senior Level Defence Management at the Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, India, Master of Arts in International Security and Strategy at King’s College, London, United Kingdom and Masters in Human Rights at the University of Colombo.
