08th August 2022 17:47:32 Hours
Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army on Monday (8) after inviting Major General Samantha Wickramasena of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI), the former General Officer Commanding of the 14 Division of the Security Force HQ-West, offered his best wishes and compliments to the Senior Officer who just retired from the Army, having served the organization for more than 34 years in an exemplary manner.
At his office, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, who praised the retiring Senior Officer for his noteworthy roles as an infantryman highly appreciated his dedicated and committed roles in various capacities in the past. "I need not repeat the high degree of your loyalty and integrity to the organization throughout”, he said. He also refreshed memories of the retiree’s invaluable sacrifices and fearless roles as a true infantryman during the height of the war against terrorism before May 2009 and his unforgettable contribution to the success story of the war.
During the cordial meet, the Army Chief also inquired into the outgoing Senior Officer's future plans and endeavours.
The Army Chief during interactions also did not forget to share a few thoughts with the retiree's family members, Mrs Lanka Pradeepika, High Court Lawyer by profession, Ms Venuri Wickramasena, a medical student in Georgia and Ms Lakdini Wickramena, a student at Visakha Vidyalaya who were present at the occasion. Lieutenant General Liyanage particularly thanked them for the inspiration and courage they had given to the outgoing Senior Officer in the performance of his duties while at war and elsewhere.
The Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI)-groomed Senior Officer during his tenure of office served many key command and staff appointments in various establishments before he was appointed to the office of the General Officer Commanding of the 14 Division.
The outgoing Senior Officer also in turn thanked the Commander of the Army for his wishes and guidance while mentioning the encouragement he received from the Army Chief in the performance of his duties.
Towards the end of the interaction, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage awarded a special memento to Major General Samantha Wickramasena as a symbol of appreciation. He also presented a special gift to the family at the same occasion.
Major General Samantha Wickramasena enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 06 October 1988 to General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy, Rathmalana and was posted to the Sri Lanka Light Infantry on 05 January 1991 after successful training. 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 04 February 2022.
The Senior Officer has been awarded the medals in appreciation of his dedicated service such as Rana Wickrama Padakkama (Awarded three times), Rana Sura Padakkama (Awarded two times), Uththama Seva Padakkama, Deshaputhra Padakkama, East Humanitarian Operation Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, North and East Operations Medal, Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, Sevabimani Padakkama, Seva Padakkama and the Videsha Seva Padakkama.
