03rd January 2025 16:40:42 Hours
Major General M.G.W.W.W.M.C.B. Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc of the Gajaba Regiment, the newly-appointed Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS), the third most senior appointment in the Sri Lanka Army, assumed duties on 2 January 2025, as the 45th Deputy Chief of Staff during a simple ceremony held at the Army Headquarters.
Amidst religious blessings and observances conducted by Ven. Balangoda Amarajothi Thero, Ven. Aluthwela Rathanasiri Thero, and Ven. Lunugamwehera Wimalananda Thero, Major General M.G.W.W.W.M.C.B. Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc, who also serves as the Colonel of the Regiment, Gajaba Regiment, signed an official document symbolising the acceptance of his new role. Prior to this appointment, he served as the Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force.
A Brief Profile of Major General M.G.W.W.W.M.C.B. Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc:
Major General M.G.W.W.W.M.C.B. Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc was born on 26 June 1970 in Matale. A distinguished alumnus of Vijaya College, Matale, and Dharmaraja College, Kandy, he excelled both academically and in extracurricular activities. As a vibrant sportsman, he showcased his talents in athletics, taekwondo, and rugby, demonstrating a dedication to both mind and body that laid the foundation for his illustrious military career.
He enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet in 1989 (Intake 31 IMA) at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) and subsequently trained at the Indian Military Academy. Throughout his career, he has held numerous key appointments in command, staff, and instructor capacities.
At the battalion level, he held all key appointments before being designated as the Commanding Officer of the 8th Battalion, Gajaba Regiment. He gained international exposure while serving as a Senior Staff Officer (Personnel) in the Administration Branch (U1) at the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti from 2007 to 2008. He later served as the Staff Officer 1 (Administrative) at the Headquarters of the Gajaba Regiment, Colonel General Staff at the Headquarters of the 22 Infantry Division in Trincomalee, Commander of the 511 and 224 Infantry Brigades, and General Officer Commanding of the 51 and 52 Infantry Divisions.
In addition, he has held numerous appointments in the media field, including Military Spokesman at the Ministry of Defence, Director of Media at the Media Centre of the Ministry of Defence, and Director of Media at Army Headquarters from December 2019 to March 2021. Furthermore, he has served as Assistant Military Secretary, Military Secretary, Adjutant General, and Director General General Staff at the Army Headquarters, as well as Commander, Security Force Headquarters – Jaffna, and Colonel of the Regiment of the Mechanized Infantry Regiment.
The Senior Officer has completed a Master of Arts degree in International Relations at the University of Colombo. He has also studied National Security and War Studies at the National Defence University of the Republic of Korea and has attained language proficiency according to the Korean national standard. He was awarded honorary citizenship in Nonsan City, Republic of Korea, and is a recipient of the 6th Asia Education Leadership Award in Singapore.
Additionally, he has served as a visiting lecturer at the Faculty of Graduate Studies at the University of Colombo, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, the Defence Institute for Training and Education in the Maldives, and the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Sri Lanka. The Senior Officer has a keen academic interest in the discipline of International Relations and regularly conducts lectures on topics such as Military Strategy, International Security, Emotional Intelligence, Management, Leadership, and Administration. In recognition of his academic achievements, he was appointed as the first Research Coordinator of the Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and was subsequently elevated to the position of Dean of the same faculty.
He has presented numerous research papers to academic forums and has participated in a wide array of symposiums and conferences. This extensively experienced Senior Officer conceptualised and initiated an innovative project: the Civil-Military Cooperation Park (CIMIC Park). Under his leadership, three CIMIC Parks were established in Kopay, Palaly, and Kilinochchi, fostering trust and confidence between the civilian community and the military, thereby strengthening Civil-Military Cooperation with widespread acceptance from the civilian community.
In addition to his professional achievements, he has excelled in rugby and holds a 1st Dan Black Belt in Taekwondo. He participated in the 2nd World Cadet Games, titled "Ecuador 2014," as a Team Manager and Trainer. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Army Rugby Committee.
The Senior Officer, with an extensive array of qualifications and over 35 years of dedicated service to the motherland, is a recipient of the Rana Wickrama Padakkama and Rana Sura Padakkama, each awarded twice for his acts of bravery. He has obtained an MPhil and is currently pursuing a PhD on the topic, “The Influence of 21st Century Power Competition in the Indian Ocean on Sri Lanka’s Security Landscape,” at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.
Additionally, he has been honoured with the Deshamamaka and Desha Gaurava Keerthi medals for his invaluable service to the nation. He is married to Mrs Priyanga Wickramasinghe and is blessed with a son and a daughter.
