Late Major General Udumalagala's Funeral with Military Honours Takes Place on Wednesday (30)

The military funeral of late Major General Susil Udumalagala (Rtd) RSP Ldmc of Gemunu Watch, Sri Lanka Army takes place on Wednesday (30) at Galle Samanala esplanade with full honours. He passed away on Thursday (24) night after a long illness.

Major General Udumalagala, who had served a number of key appointments in the Army before his retirement last February joined the Army on 6 February 1980 and received commissions as a Second Lieutenant on 18 July 1981. Key appointments he held include Quarter Master General at Army Headquarters, Colonel of the Regiment, Commander Security Force Headquarters - East, Commander Area Headquarters - Kandy, Director, Directorate of Training, Director, Directorate of Infantry, Commandant, Combat Training School, Ampara and a few more.   

Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake, Commander of the Army who was overseas at the time of his demise, made a bee-line to his residence at Ekala where his remains are lying minutes after the Commander arrived in Sri Lanka during early hours on Tuesday (29).

Here follows the formal Special Part - 1 Order issued by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake;



The Commander of the Army, all Officers and Other Ranks express their immense grief with intense feeling and profound sorrow on the demise of Major General S Udumalagala (Rtd) RSP Ldmc  on 24 October 2013.

Susil Udumalagala was born on 27 February 1958. He was educated at Richmond College - Galle where he excelled in his education whilst proving himself to be a fine all-round sportsman participating in swimming, cricket and athletics, exuding a radiant character always.

True to the patriotic zeal Susil Udumalagala displayed, he sought to answer the call of the country with the intention of serving the Motherland and his Nation. Having enlisted as an Officer Cadet on 6 February 1980, he underwent initial military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy Diyatalawa. On successful completion of his cadet training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 18 July 1981. The young subaltern Susil Udumalagala selected the path of soldiering in the infantry and was posted to the 1st   Battalion of the Gemunu Watch.

Due to the dedication, competence and commitment displayed even as a young officer, Second Lieutenant S Udumalagala  was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 18 January 1983, Captain on 1 June 1985 and Major on 1 August 1989. His outstanding performance warranted him to be considered for senior rank appointments. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 1 December 1993, Colonel on 24 February 1999, Brigadier on 1 December 2003, Major General on 1 February 2010. During his military career he gained prestigious positions from the various courses he followed and the visits/seminars he attended.
   
    Platoon Commanders’ Course                      - Sri Lanka
    Young Officers’ Course                                     - India
    Junior Command Course                                - India
    Senior Command Course                                - India
    Asia Pacific Seminar                                          - Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies, the USA
    Long Defense Management Course              - India
    35th Pacific Armies Management Seminar   - Singapore
   
He imparted the knowledge gained for the overall success of his Regiment in the appointments he held as Platoon Commander in the 1st Battalion of the Gemunu Watch, as Company Commander in the 6th Battalion of the Gemunu Watch and as Commanding Officer of same battalion. From the commencement of his military career, he rendered valuable service in the operational areas of Northern and Eastern Provinces and carried out the responsibilities assigned to him with commitment, courage and dedication at all times.

He bore the brunt as a front line officer in most of the major operations launched by the Sri Lanka Army throughout his illustrious military career of 33 years.

He held the following important appointments during his tenure of service in the Sri Lanka Army.

    Adjutant                               - 2nd Volunteer Battalion Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps
    General Staff Officer III (Ops) - Headquarters Joint Operations Command
    Second in Command              - 6th  Battalion The Gemunu Watch
    Commanding Officer               - 6th Battalion The Gemunu Watch
    Commanding Officer               - Training Wing-Infantry Training Centre, Minneriya
    Commandant                            - Combat Training School,  Ampara
    Colonel (General Staff)            - Headquarters 53 Division
    Colonel (General Staff)            - Directorate of Operations Army Headquarters
    Commander                              - 543 Brigade
    Centre Commandant cum      - Regimental Centre The Gemunu Watch
    Sub Area Commander             - Rathnapura District
    Commander                              - 516 Brigade
    Commander                              - 215 Brigade
    Commander                              - 212 Brigade
    Commander                              - 231 Brigade
    Commander                              - 221 Brigade
    Director                                       - Directorate of Infantry, Army Headquarters
    Director                                       - Directorate of Training, Army Headquarters
    Commandant                            - Combat Training School, Ampara
    Commander                              - Area Headquarters, Kandy
    Commander                              - Security Force Headquarters (East)
    Colonel of the Regiment         - The Gemunu Watch
    Quarter Master General           - Army Headquarters

His sound military knowledge, dedication and commitment to work, together with his gentlemanly qualities stood him in good stead for the performance of his duties in the appointments he held, bringing credit to his Regiment, The Gemunu Watch in particular and to the Sri Lanka Army in general.

Major General Susil Udumalagala (Rtd) RSP Ldmc  was an Officer and Gentleman blessed with professional competency, making him a capable and effective military leader. He was awarded the following medals of honour in recognition of his contribution to the Sri Lanka Army.

    Rana Sura Padakkama - for gallantry in battle
    East Humanitarian Operations Medal
    North Humanitarian Operations Medal
    The Purna Bhumi Padakkama
    The North and East Operations Medal
    The Vadamarachchi Operations Medal
    The Riviresa Campaign Service Medal
    50th Independence Anniversary Medal
    Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal
    Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
   
Throughout his military career he proved to be a capable and effective leader. The demise of Major General S Udumalagala (Rtd) RSP Ldmc has drawn a curtain of gloom. He leaves behind his beloved wife Chintha loving sons Sanjan, Pranith, Sachintha and daughter Amandi, his close family members, his many friends, his brother officers, soldiers, and the Nation that he served with dedication and patriotic zeal.  His passing away is definitely a severe loss to his family, the service he represented and the country he served. The Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and all ranks extend their sincere condolences to the family members, friends and relatives of  Late Major General S Udumalagala (Rtd) RSP Ldmc.

Though departed, his name will forever remain imprinted in our hearts as a great patriot of Mother Lanka.