14th December 2022 19:14:21 Hours
Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army took time off on Wednesday (14) to extend his best wishes to one more Senior Officer of the Commando Regiment (CR), Major General A.K.G.K.U Gnanarathne ndc psc on the eve of the latter's retirement from the Army.
The retiring Major General A.K.G.K.U Gnanarathne ndc psc, Commander, 1 Corps of the Army after an illustrious service of more than three decades was invited by Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army to his office, together with his family members, just a few days before his retirement from the service.
Major General A.K.G.K.U Gnanarathne ndc psc who has served the Army for more than 34 years in an exemplary manner during the meet received appreciative compliments and words of commendation from the Army Chief who also spoke high of his working capacity, commitment and dedication to the Army as a member of the prestigious Commando family. The Army Chief refreshed memories of the retiree’s contribution and valuable roles during the height of the war against terrorism as a Commando Officer of the highest calibre before May 2009.
The Army Chief while sharing a few pleasantries with the retiring Major General and his accompanying daughter also inquired into the retiring Senior Officer's future endeavours and wished him good luck. He also did not fail to heap praise on the support that his family members have given during his career.
Major General A.K.G.K.U Gnanarathne ndc psc also in turn thanked the Commander of the Army for his wishes and guidance while mentioning the encouragement he received during his tenure of service in the organization.
Towards the end of the interaction, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage awarded a special memento to the outgoing retiree as a symbol of appreciation and commendation along with a special gift to the family.
Major General A.K.G.K.U Gnanarathne ndc psc enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 12 February 1988. Upon successful completion of basic military training in the Sri Lanka Military Academy under the Intake 29, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Commando Regiment. He was promoted to the rank of Major General on 28 January 2021.
He has been holding the appointment of Commander 1 Corps and Colonel of the Regiment, Commando Regiment at the time of his retirement. He also held several key appointments in the organization, such as the Team Commander, Officer Commanding (Anti Hijack & Hostage Security Group), Adjutant, Officer Instructor Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA), Brigade Major Commando Brigade, General Staff Officer (Training) Directorate of Training, Operations and Training Officer 1 Commando Regiment, Chief Instructor Commando Regiment Training School, Second in Command, Commanding Officer, Operations Command Colombo, Colonel (General Staff) Security Force Headquarters - Mullaittivu, Chief Instructor at Army War College (AWC), Commander 523 Infantry Brigade, Deputy Commandant SLMA, Commander Commando Brigade, Commandant SLMA and the General Officer Commanding, 14 Infantry Division.
He has followed a number of overseas military courses inclusive of the Officer Cadet Course at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst (SMC-903), United Kingdom, Basic Airborne Course, India, Ghatak (Commando Course), India, Young Officers' Course, Pakistan, Junior Command Course, India, Senior Command Course, India, Higher Defence Orientation Course, India, National Defence College Course, Bangladesh in addition to the local courses, he followed. Among them are the Commando Course, Basic Intelligence & Security Course, Anti-Hijack & Hostage Rescue Operations Course, Young Officers Course, Certificate Course in Meeting Techniques at SLIDA, Staff Course at Army Command & Staff College (ACSC), Sapugaskanda, Management Leadership Development Programme and Diploma in Conflict Resolution Skills Development.
