New Deputy Chief of Staff Begins His Office at Army HQ

Major General B.K.G.M.L Rodrigo RSP psc IG, of the Sri Lanka Artillery, the newly-appointed Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) assumed office on 28 November 2024 at the Army Headquarters during a simple ceremony.

Amidst multi-religious blessings, he signed the official document, symbolizing the acceptance of his new appointment.

Prior to this new appointment, Major General B.K.G.M.L Rodrigo RSP psc IG, has been serving as the Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Headquarters.

Senior Officers, Staff Officers at the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) and Other Ranks joined the occasion.

Here is a brief profile of Major General B.K.G.M.L Rodrigo RSP psc IG:

Major General B.K.G.M.L Rodrigo RSP psc IG is the 44th DCOS of the Sri Lanka Army. He is a proud product of St. Benedict's College Colombo and excelled both in academics and extracurricular activities. He was a vibrant sportsman and a college prefect for three consecutive years.

He is a graduate of Indian Military Academy, Dehra Dun, India and was commissioned on 05 October 1990 and posted to the 7th Light Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery. Having held multiple appointments in the regiment, he commanded the 18th Regiment of the Sri Lanka Artillery then 661 and 663 Infantry Brigades, subsequently.

Major General B.K.G.M.L Rodrigo RSP psc IG held many staff, and instructional appointments including the Director, Directorate of Overseas Operations, the Chief Instructor of the Officers Study Centre of Sri Lanka Military Academy, Directing Staff and the Head of Training Team (HOTT) at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, General Officer Commanding of 66 Infantry Division. Later became the Commandant of Defence Services Command and Staff College prior to be appointed as the Commander Security Force Headquarters(Central).

He is a proud alumnus of the Army Command and Staff College. He is holding two master degrees. Master of Science in Security and Strategic Studies from Kotelawala Defence University (KDU) and Master of Science in International Counter-Terrorism Fellowship Programme, National Defence University in Washington, D.C, USA. His other foreign military education includes Artillery Young Officers' Course, India in year 1993, Officers Physical Training Instructor Course, India in year 1996, Officers' Locating Course at School of Artillery, Nowshera, Pakistan in year 2000, Advanced Gunnery Course, India in year 2003, Long Gunnery Staff Course, India in years 2007-2008, Artillery Battalion Commander Course, China in year 2012 and Higher Defence Orientation Course MHOW India 2015.

He was the President of the international students' committee and was elected as the best international student of the year 2020, and awarded the International Counterterrorism Fellows award for Outstanding Security Cooperation and Understanding in the year 2020, in the National Defence University Washington D.C, USA.

Major General B.K.G.M.L Rodrigo RSP psc IG is a proud recipient of Rana Sura Padakkama and ten other medals for gallantry displayed in the battlefield. He is married to Mrs. Swendrini Dissanayaka and blessed with a son and two daughters.