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Sri Lanka Army

Defender of the Nation

06th December 2021 19:57:37 Hours

Major General Priyanka Fernando Receives Best Wishes of the Army Chief before Retirement

Just a few days prior to the retirement of one more Senior Officer who added pride and prestige to the Army and his own Regiment, Major General Priyanka Fernando of the Gemunu Watch Regiment, Colonel of the Regiment, Mechanized Infantry Regiment and Director General General Staff (DGGS) at the Army Headquarters was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army this morning (2), together with his family members.

General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army receiving him on arrival with his family members at his office commenced an exchange of views where he commended Major General Priyanka Fernando’s services to the Army for more than three decades.

General Shavendra Silva spoke high of Major General Priyanka Fernando’s dedicated and committed career roles both in the Army and the overseas in diplomatic appointments. The Army Chief recalled the retiring Senior Officer’s bravery in North-East battlefields and how he was awarded Rana Wickckrama Padakkama twice for his exceptional command ability and for the bravery displayed during offensive operations against the LTTE in the Northern and Eastern theaters.

The Army Chief speaking to the retiree’s children who were associated with the occasion said that their father as an exemplary military figure added colour to the organization and fulfilled his duties to the best of his ability. “Loyalty, dedication and commitment are the pillars of success in your father’s military career that spanned for more than 34 years and his eventful tenure as the Minister Counsellor (Defence) of the High Commission of Sri Lanka in London stands distinctive. You as an officer with highest integrity and honesty opted to complete your responsibilities and assignments to the best satisfaction of your peers, a quality that has been inculcated through your military education,” General Shavendra Silva added.

Presenting a special memento that symbolizes the Army’s gratitude to the outgoing Senior Officer, General Shavendra Silva extended his best wishes for his future endeavours and all other professional undertakings. He also gratefully remembered his dedicated services as the Commandant, Ranaviru Sevana, 58 Division’s General Officer Commanding and the current office of the Director General General Staff at the Army HQ.

The Army Chief also praised his family members for the patient sacrifices they made while the Senior Officer was away from home. The family also received a symbolic gift from the Army Chief before their departure on the same occasion.

Major General Priyanka Fernando before his appointment as the DGGS served the office of the General Officer Commanding of the 58 Division where he expanded the Division’s community projects in order to promote the image among civilians. In January 2021, he was appointed as the Director General General Staff at the Army Headquarters.

The outgoing Senior Officer also thanked the Commander of the Army for his leadership, guidance, best wishes and the thoughtfulness while mentioning about the encouragement he received all the time from the Army Chief in the performance of his duties.

Major General Fernando was enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army Regular Force on 27th October 1986 as an Officer Cadet, and upon the completion of basic Military Training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalwa, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and posted to the 5th Battalion of the Gemunu Watch on 23rd July 1987. Since then, the Senior Officer has been in active military service maintaining an impeccable career span holding a number of Command, Instructor and Staff appointments.

The Senior Officer served as the Minister Counsellor (Defence) in the High Commission of Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom from 05 August 2017 to 28 February 2018. Upon his return, he followed the Brigade Commander Course in China. After successful completion of the Course, he performed duties as the Commandant, Ranaviru Sevana from September 2018 to January 2019 and, as the Commandant of Ranaviru Resources Centre from January 2019 to December 2019. Later, Major General Priyanka Fernando was posted as the Director Real Estate and Quartering at the Army Headquarters from 24 January 2019 to 18 December 2019.