9th October 2025
Major General D.R.N. Hettiarachchi RWP RSP USP, General Officer Commanding, 59 Infantry Division, was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, on 08 October 2025, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army after a distinguished military career spanning over 34 years.
Brief Profile of the Retiring Senior Officer:
Major General D.R.N Hettiarachchi RWP RSP USP enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet for Intake KDA 8 on 03 November 1990. Upon successful completion of military training at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy, Ratmalana and the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Gajaba Regiment on 14 November 1992. After steadily elevating through the ranks, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 03 May 2024.
The Senior Officer will retire from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from 23 October 2025 upon reaching 55 years of age. At the time of retirement, he was holding the appointment of General Officer Commanding, 59 Infantry Division.
During his career, he served in many key appointments including Platoon Commander of the 10th Battalion, Gajaba Regiment, Intelligence Officer of the 10th Battalion, Gajaba Regiment, Officer Commanding of the 10th Battalion, Gajaba Regiment, Adjutant of the 10th Battalion, Gajaba Regiment, General Staff Officer 2 of the Directorate of Infantry, Major (Administration and Quartering) of Headquarters 534 Infantry Brigade, Officer Commanding (Administration) of the Regimental Centre, Gajaba Regiment, Officer Commanding (Administration) of the Base Ordnance Depot – Maradana, Second-in-Command of the 10th Battalion, Gajaba Regiment, Officer Commanding of the Sri Lanka Battalion – United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Commanding Officer of the 22nd Battalion, Gajaba Regiment, Sector Commander of Sector 02 (14 Infantry Division), Commanding Officer of the Centre for Army Vocational Training (CAVT), Staff Officer 1 of the Directorate of Agriculture & Livestock, Army Headquarters, Colonel (General Staff) of Headquarters 56 Infantry Division, Officiating Commander of 683 Infantry Brigade, Commander of 681 Infantry Brigade, Director of the Directorate of Real Estate and Quartering, Army Headquarters, Commandant of the Combat Training School, Ampara and General Officer Commanding of the 59 Infantry Division.
In recognition of his committed and valiant service to the Sri Lanka Army, he was awarded the Rana Wickrama Padakkama on two occasions, the Rana Sura Padakkama and the Uttama Seva Padakkama.
He has successfully completed numerous local courses including the Patrolling Course, Artillery Observation Course, Battalion Support Weapons Officers’ Course, Unit Accounts Officers Course, and Unit Administration Course. Overseas, he has followed the Young Officers Tactical Course in Pakistan, Battalion Support Weapons Officers’ (Mortar Leg) Course in India, Junior Command Course in India, United Nations Protection of Civilians Course in Pakistan and United Nations Training of Trainers Course of Buddy First Aid in Uganda.
