27th July 2023 22:22:53 Hours
Major General K.A.A Udaya Kumara RSP VSV USP USAWC psc of the Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE), days prior to his retirement after a landmark career of more than 34 years in the Army arrived at the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu on invitation on Thursday (27), together with his family members.
The Army Chief during the cordial meeting with the retiring senior SLE Officer praised him for his dedicated services and performance of diverse and challenging responsibilities with unfailing commitment and selflessness. He also refreshed memories of the retiree’s invaluable sacrifices and roles during the height of the war against terrorism before May 2009 and as well as his effective discharge of duties in the post-war scenario.
Major General K.A.A Udaya Kumara RSP VSV USP USAWC psc in return thanked the Army Commander for the invitation and expressed his gratitude for the guidance the Commander extended to him in the performance of his varied duties.
The Army Chief while sharing a few pleasantries with his family members invited to the occasion also inquired about the retiring Senior Officer’s future endeavours and plans. The Army Chief simultaneously commended the invaluable support that has been given to the Senior Officer by his family members throughout his career, particularly during challenging times while the retiring Senior Officer was engaged in operations to safeguard the motherland away from home. For his bravery and gallantry in the battlefields, he has been awarded the ‘Rana Sura Padakkama’.
Towards the end of the interactions, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage awarded a special memento to the retiring Senior Officer as a symbol of appreciation and commendation along with a special gift to the family.
Major General K.A.A Udaya Kumara RSP VSV USP USAWC psc enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army on 20 January 1989 and underwent basic military training in the Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa and Pakistan Military Academy. After his basic military training he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers on 05 October 1990. He was promoted to the rank of Major General on 04 February 2022.
He has been holding the office of Chief of Staff, Office of the Chief of Defence Staff at the time of his retirement. He also held the appointments of Troop Commander of 1st Field Engineer Regiment, the Sri Lanka Engineers, Engineering Troop Commander of 22 Infantry Division, Officer Instructor at Sri Lanka Military Academy, Officer Commanding of 7 Field Engineer Regiment and 8 Field Engineer Regiment the Sri Lanka Engineers, Staff Officer 2 (Training) of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Institute of Peace Support Operations Training - Sri Lanka, Field Engineering Officer Commanding of Sri Lanka Battalion at United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Overlooking Commanding Officer of 6 Field Engineer Regiment the Sri Lanka Engineers, Officiating General Staff Officer I (Operations) of Operations Command Colombo, Commanding Officer of 1 Field Engineer Regiment the Sri Lanka Engineers, Peacekeeping Affairs Officer of Secretariat of United Nations Headquarters - New York, Colonel Training of Directorate of Training, Secretary of Army Motor Sports Committee, Colonel (General Staff) of Security Force Headquarters (Jaffna), Military Assistant to the Commander of the Army, Director General Personnel Administration, Vice Chairman of Army Athletic Committee, Chairman of Army Snooker and Billiard Committee, General Officer Commanding of 51 Infantry Division and the Director General General Staff at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff.
Major General K.A.A Udaya Kumara RSP VSV USP USAWC psc followed many local and foreign courses during his military career, such as Platoon Commanders Tactics Course, Artillery Observation Course, Officers Mid-Career Unit Administration Course, Army Command and Staff Course, Humanitarian Demining Course, Humanitarian Demining Management Course, International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Advanced Refresher Course for Officers of the Armed Forces, Instructors Advanced Course on Law of Armed Conflict for Armed Forces. Young Officers’ Course – India, Officers Earth Moving Plant, Workshop and Construction Plant Course- India, Service Training Course Bharat Earth Movers Limited- India, United Nations Logistics Officers’ Course - Norway, Directors’ Course on International Humanitarian Law - Italy and United States Army War College Course - United States of America.
In addition, the Senior Officer has read for a number of higher education and non-military qualifications such as Masters in Defence and Strategic Studies at the University of Kelaniya, Diploma in Human Rights at the Institute of Human Rights Sri Lanka, United States Army War College Diploma at United States Army War College, International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights Training Course at the Kobbekaduwa Agrarian Research and Training Institute, Training Directive Course for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law Instructors at the Institute of Human Rights Sri Lanka.
