20th November 2019 11:10:52 Hours
Major General (Retd) G. D. H Kamal Gunaratne WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc, a battle-hardened Gajaba Regiment warrior who had made a landmark contribution to the elimination of LTTE terrorism from the Sri Lankan soil before May 2009 took over duties this morning (19) as the new Secretary Defence in the Ministry of Defence amid military honours and greetings.
Chief of Defence Staff, Tri Service Commanders, acting Inspector General of Police, Director General Civil Defence Force and a representative gathering of all MOD establishments were present at the ceremony.
The formal military ceremony in the Ministry premises commenced soon after he was greeted in a drive-past Guard Turnout at the entrance. Afterwards, the Additional Secretary to the Ministry warmly received him and ushered him to the special dais. A contingent of 48 Gajaba Regiment troops then presented a salute to the new appointee after the parade commander reported it to the day’s Chief Guest. After review of the parade, the new Secretary Defence arrived at his office and inaugurated it by lighting the traditional oil lamp.
As the auspicious minute struck, the new Secretary Defence signified the acceptance of his new office by leaving his signature for an official document amidst chanting of ‘Seth Pirith’ by members of the Maha Sangha.
Major General (retd) Kamal Gunaratne was enlisted to the Army on 31 August 1981 and received commission as a 2nd Lieutenant on 4 December 1982. He began his career as a Platoon Commander and served as an Officer Commanding, Staff Officer 11, General Staff Officer 1, Commandant Infantry Training Centre, Staff Officer at Joint Operations HQ, General Officer Commanding, 55 Division, 53 Division, Commander, Security Forces-Wanni, Centre Commandant, Gajaba Regiment HQ, Colonel of the Regiment, Gajaba Regiment HQ, Colonel of the Mechanized Infantry Regiment and many other appointments in the North, Wanni and elsewhere. He was the Master General Ordnance at the Army Headquarters from 16 February 2015 to 4 September 2016 until he retired from service. He also served as the Deputy Ambassador for Brazil in early 2000.
Major General (Retd) Kamal Gunaratne actively contributed to the Wanni Humanitarian Operations during 2008 - 2009 and many other military operations including Vadamarachchi Operation, Operation Riviresa and Operation Jayasikurui. To his credit, he has also authored a few books on his past experiences in the battlefield, named ‘Road to Nandikadal’ and the biography, ‘Gotabaya’, which are on sale as best-sellers. Asics footwear | adidas
