Army Chief Commends Retiring Chief of Staff for Exemplary Leadership

Major General S.R.B. Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc, Chief of Staff, Colonel of the Regiment of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment and President of the Sri Lanka Army Sports Committee was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu, on 11 September 2024, together with his family, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army.

During the meeting, the Army Chief commended the Senior Officer for his unwavering dedication and exemplary performance in various challenging roles throughout his career, both during the war and the post-war era. The Commander of the Army also acknowledged the pivotal role played by his family in supporting him throughout his career. In response, Major General S.R.B. Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc expressed profound gratitude for the steadfast guidance and support provided by the Army Chief. At the conclusion of the interaction, the Commander of the Army presented a special memento to the retiring Senior Officer as a symbol of appreciation and commendation, along with gifts for his family.

Here follows a brief profile of the retiring Senior Officer:

Major General S.R.B. Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army to Intake 31 as an Officer Cadet on 26 July 1988. Upon the successful completion of military training at the Indian Military Academy (IMA) and the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 5 October 1990. After steadily elevating through the ranks during his career, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 10 October 2021. He will retire from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army on 16 September 2024, upon reaching the age of 55.

Throughout his career, he held various key appointments, including Platoon Commander, Intelligence Officer, and Officer Commanding, 5th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. He also served as Officer Instructor and Company Commander, the Officer Cadet Wing at Sri Lanka Military Academy, Academy Adjutant at Sri Lanka Military Academy, Brigade Major, Headquarters - 222 Infantry Brigade, Regimental Adjutant, the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Second-in-Command, 7th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Commanding Officer, the 4th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Staff Officer 1 (Administration) at the Regimental Centre of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Training Coordinator of the Special Young Officers Course at Infantry Training Centre, General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) at Directorate of Operations - Army Headquarters, Military Staff Officer of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Chief Instructor at Sri Lanka Military Academy, Commanding Officer at Officer Cadet Wing - Sri Lanka Military Academy, Colonel (General Staff) at Directorate of Operations - Army Headquarters, Officiating Commander, 571 Infantry Brigade, Commander, 553 Infantry Brigade, Principal Staff Officer, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Commandant, Army Training School, General Officer Commanding, 58 Infantry Division, Director General General Staff at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Officer Commanding, 11 Infantry Division, Adjutant General at Army Headquarters, Colonel of the Regiment, Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Commander, Security Forces (Central), and Chief of Staff at Army Headquarters.

He has been awarded the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (four times) and the Rana Sura Padakkama for his bravery in the battle field.

The Senior Officer completed numerous local and foreign courses during his military career, including Platoon Commanders Tactics Course, Battalion Support Weapons Officers’ Course, Basic Marksmanship Course, Artillery Observers Course, Army Command and Staff Course, Young Officers’ Tactical Course (Pakistan), Junior Command Course (India), Officers’ Transport Management Course (India), Army Battalion Commanders Course (China), and Advanced Diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies Course (China).