16th May 2024 21:55:30 Hours
The Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) and Colonel Commandant of Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE), Major General M.K Jayawardena RSP VSV USP ndu, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army after a notable career of 35 years, was invited to the Office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, on 16 May 2024, together with his family members.
During the meeting, the Army Chief lauded the Senior Officer for his unwavering dedication and exemplary performance in a variety of challenging roles throughout his tenure. The Army Chief particularly highlighted Senior Officer’s invaluable contributions during the war against terrorism and his continued commitment to duty in the post-war era, and also acknowledged the pivotal role played by his dedicated family throughout his career.
In response, Major General M.K Jayawardena RSP VSV USP ndu expressed profound gratitude for the steadfast guidance and support given to him by the Army Chief. Toward the end of the interactions, the Commander of the Army presented a special memento to the retiring Senior Officer as a symbol of appreciation and commendation, along with gifts to his family.
Here is a brief profile of the retiring Senior Officer:
Major General M.K Jayawardena RSP VSV USP ndu, enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army, as an Officer Cadet of Intake - 30 on 26 July 1988. Upon successful completion of military training at the Pakistan Military Academy (PMA) and the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) - Diyatalawa, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers on 09 June 1990. After being steadily elevated to subsequent ranks in the course of the span of service in the Army, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 07 May 2021. The Senior Officer retired from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from 25 May 2024 on reaching 55 years of age. At the time of his retirement, he was holding the appointments of Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Engineers and Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force.
He held various appointments during his career, including Troop Commander, 6th Field Engineer Regiment of Sri Lanka Engineers, Adjutant of Army Training School, Intelligence Officer of 6th Field Engineer Regiment the Sri Lanka Engineers, Officer Commanding of 51 and 53 Squadron of 5th Field Engineer Regiment the Sri Lanka Engineers, Staff Officer 2 (Logistics) of Regimental Centre, Sri Lanka Engineers, Officer Commanding of Headquarter Squadron, 9th Field Engineer Regiment the Sri Lanka Engineers, Second-in-Command of 5th Field Engineer Regiment the Sri Lanka Engineers, Officiating General Staff Officer 1 (Coordinating) of Security Force Headquarters (Jaffna), Commanding Officer of 6th Field Engineer Regiment the Sri Lanka Engineers, General Staff Officer 1 of General Staff Branch, Army Headquarters, Colonel (General Staff), Headquarters 58 Infantry Division, Officiating Commander of 581 Infantry Brigade, Commander, 612 Infantry Brigade and 141 Infantry Brigade, Director of Sirisara Pivisuma Project, Commander of Plant Engineer Brigade, Commander of Forward Maintenance Area (Kilinochchi), General Officer Commanding of 55 Infantry Division, Commander of the Engineer Division, Chief Filed Engineer of Army Headquarters, Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps, Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Engineers, Commander, Security Forces (Mullaitivu) and Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force.
For his unblemished service, he has been awarded Rana Sura Padakkama, Vishishta Seva Vibhushanaya and Uththama Seva Padakkama.
He has also completed numerous local and foreign courses during his military career, including Platoon Commanders Tactics Course, Field Engineer Basic Course, Plant Operator and Fitter Course, Officers’ Par Excellence Course, Officers’ Operational Staff Duties Course, Psychological Operations Training Course, Computer Course, Infantry Battalion Training Course, Lay Counselor Course, Military Geography Course, Mine Action Management Course, Humanitarian Mine Action Basic Management Course, Humanitarian Demining Course. Defence Attaché Orientation Course, Officer Cadet Training Course - Pakistan, Young Officers’ Basic Course (Engineers) - Pakistan, Engineer Officers Earth Moving Plant Workshop and Construction Plant Course - India, Service Training Course on Beml Products - India, Senior Command Course - India, Humanitarian Mine Action and Military Course - Switzerland and Defence and Strategic Studies Course - China.
The Senior Officer also pursued several higher educational and non-military courses, such as Advanced Diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies at National Defence University of PLA, China, Diploma in Senior Level Defence Management at Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya, India and Diploma in English at Skills Development Fund Limited (SDFL).
