16th March 2022 13:22:24 Hours
Major General Keerthi Bandara of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, General Officer Commanding, 68 Division on the eve of his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army, having completed an illustrious service of more than 34 years was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army at the Army Headquarters, together with his family members on Monday (14).
General Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff and Commander of the Army during the interactive meet commended his dedicated and committed roles in various capacities and spoke high of his loyalty and integrity.
The Army Chief inquired into his future plans after leaving the Army and shared a few thoughts with his family members who were present at the occasion.
His daughter, a student at Kegalle Balika Vidyalaya at the same occasion awarded a portrait of General Shavendra Silva, done by herself during her free time. General Shavendra Silva showing his fatherly warmth appreciated her creative work and thanked her for the gesture.
Furthermore, General Shavendra Silva spoke to both children accompanying him and inquired into their educational progress and wished both of them good luck with their future endeavours. He also appreciated the role played by his spouse, Mrs Keerthi Bandara when the Senior Officer was away in the battlefield for the sake of the country. As a housewife, you took the most challenging responsibility of raising these two children without giving any pressure to your husband which is great, the Commander remarked.
The outgoing Senior Officer also thanked the Commander of the Army for his wishes and the thoughtfulness while mentioning about the encouragement he received from the Army Chief in the performance of his duties. Towards the end of the interaction, General Shavendra Silva awarded a special memento to the outgoing Major General Keerthi Bandara as a symbol of appreciation and commendation.
Here follows the brief profile of Major General Keerthi Bandara;
Born on 17th of March 1967 in the District of Kurunegala, he became an outstanding product of St Anne’s College in Kurunegala and Tholangamuwa Dudley Senanayake Central College.
The young and energetic Keerthi Bandara, enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army Regular Intake 29 on 22nd of February 1988 underwent the basic officer cadet training at the prestigious, and world-renowned Sri Lanka Military Academy at Diyathalawa.
On 16th of December 1989, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and was posted to the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment. Later, he joined the 6th Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.
Major General Keerthi Bandara has also had the honour and opportunity to hold other significant appointments such as Unit Intelligence Officer, Adjutant, Company Commander and Operation and Training officer in 6th Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment and 2nd in Command of the 1st Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.
Major General Keerthi Bandara, during his three years of invaluable service as an Officer Instructor and Company Commander at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyathalawa - Gannoruwa Company, has been responsible for grooming many officers to the Sri Lanka Army.
He also played a pivotal role in the introduction of the Degree Program to the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyathalawa, as a pioneer member in this initiative. During this introductory programme, he went on an introductory study tour in Pakistan in the context of observations, adding value to the future of many students and the country as a whole.
During his unforgettable period of service at Elephant Pass under the heavy threat of the LTTE, he was a close eyewitness to the heroic act of Corporal Gamini Kularathne who laid down his life for the motherland.
Major General Bandara has contributed largely to the success of Operations such as Jayasikuru, Jayashakthi, Balawegaya I (one) and II (two) in Jaffna, Haye Pahara in Welioya, Duragamana, Operations Green Belt in Mannar, Rivikirana, Aghnikeela in Jaffna, Rivirasa II, Wanniwickrama II, Sath Jaya as well as the final Humanitarian Operation in the North and East.
In recognition of his gallantry and superior performance, he has been awarded the renowned “Rana Sura Padakkama” for his exceptional valour in the battlefield. He was also awarded the “Uttama Seva Padakkama” for his unblemished service in the Army. Furthermore, Major General Bandara’s distinguished, exemplary and loyal service to the Sri Lanka Army and by extension, the motherland has been recognized with the awarding of the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal which are in addition to the Campaign and operational service medals have also been awarded to him.
In 2007, he was chosen to serve as a Military Observer to the United Nations Peace Keeping Mission in Sudan, and he was appointed to this appointment following a long and careful examination process, based on his valuable expertise in the field.
During the period 2008 to 2010, as the Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, he led the battalion during the Humanitarian Operation in the Eastern and Wanni battlefronts commencing from Toppigala until the end of Operations at Vellamullivaikkal.
During his military career, he commanded 141, 581 and 541 Infantry Brigades. While at the 141 Brigade, he also served as the Deputy Director - Veteran Affairs, Brigadier General Staff at Security Force Headquarters Central.
Major General Keerthi Bandara has followed many recognized local and renowned overseas courses such as:
Young Officer Course at Infantry Training Centre Minneriya, Army Training School Maduruoya and Commando Regiment Training School Uva Kudaoya, Motor Transport Officer Course at School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Gannoruwa, Basic Parachute Course at Commando Training School, Uva Kudaoya, Defence Media Management Course Sri Pali campus, affiliated to the University of Moratuwa, Officer weapon course in Bangladesh, Young Officers Course in Pakistan, Junior Command Course in India, Basic Military observer course in Argentina, Senior Command Course in India and Comprehensive security response to terrorism course in Hawaii, USA, etc.
Major General Keerthi Bandara has also served as the deputy director/adviser to the 'Mithra Shakthi Joint Training Exercise' conducted jointly by both armed forces of India and Sri Lanka.
In addition to his decorated expertise and qualifications in the Defence front, Major General Bandara has also proven himself as a multidisciplinary academic and is presently reading for his Master’s degree in the field of Personnel Management at the reputed Sri Lanka Institute of Development and Administration.
He is married to Mrs Swarnalatha Panditharathna Bandara. Mrs Bandara serves as a Vice Principal at Pussella Maha Vidyalaya in Kegalle. They are blessed with two daughters and one son.
