Published on - 12/28/2005
Major General Nanda Mallawaarachchi, former Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF), took over duties as the Chief of Staff (CoS), Sri Lanka Army this morning (28).
A brief ceremony to mark his taking over was held in the Office of Chief of Staff at Army Headquarters (AHQ). The incumbent Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka previously held the Office of Chief of Staff, the second senior most appointment in the Sri Lanka Army.
Members of the Maha Sangha invoked blessings on the new appointment during the brief ceremony before he officially initialed the first document inaugurating the office. A large gathering of Senior Officers was in attendance to extend their greetings to the new Chief of Staff on assumption of duties.
Enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army on 26 April 1971 as an Officer Cadet, young Mallawaarachchi underwent his basic Military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy at Diyatalawa and was commissioned to the 1 Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) as a Second Lieutenant on 25 May 1972. As a young Captain afterwards, he was promoted to the field Rank of Major on 26 April 1981.
After his promotion as a Lieutenant Colonel on 01 September 1990, he has served in various command and staff appointments. To his credit, he got his due promotion as a Colonel on 01 October 1992. After his promotion to the rank of Brigadier on 01 September 1994, he was appointed to the Headquarters Task Force 1 and he continued to command several Brigades including Chavakachcheri. He was then appointed as deputy General Officer Commanding for Varani on 08th January 1997. He also served as Co-ordinating Officer for Kodikamam, Kachchei and Meesalai north during the year 1997. He then became the Commadant, Sri Lanka Military Academy at Diyatalawa until he was appointed as Military Secretary at Army Headquarters. He also worked as the officiating General Officer Commanding for Varani until he was promoted to the Rank of Major General on 24 February 1999. Maj. Gen. N. Mallawaarachchi afterwards took over the office of General Officer Commanding 23 Division Minneriya on 18th November 2000. Major Gen. N. Mallawaarachchi held the appointment of Officiating Commandant of the Kothalawala Defence Academy (KDA) for some time between November 1999 & November 2000.
Major General. N. Mallawaarachchi commanded the Security Forces Headquarters in Wanni & East between January 2003 and August 2003 until he took over the office of the Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Forces and the Director General, General Staff on 9 December 2004.
He has followed a number of foreign Military Courses such as Young Officers' Course, Junior Commanders' Course, Staff College Course, Senior Commanders' Course and National Defence College Course in India, Infantry Officers' Advanced Course in USA. In addition, Maj. Gen. N. Mallawaarachchi has attended the PASO Conference in Switzerland after his previous overseas visits to Egypt.
He received the Rana Weera Padakkama (RWP) gallantry award for his commitment to the warfare in the north and east and several other medals. Maj. Gen. N. Mallawaarachchi continues as the Colonel of the Regiment of the SLLI to-date.
