Major General (Retired) T.R.T. Jayatunge Laid to Rest

 

 

Major General T.R.T. Jayatunge (Retired) passed away recently having served the Army for forty-one years. His military funeral took place amidst a large gathering of his former colleagues both serving and retired.

The special Part I Order issued by the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya reads as follows;

 

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With an extreme feeling of deep sorrow, sincerity and wholehearted emotional sympathy, the Commander of the Army, Officers and all Other Ranks express their sadness on the demise of Major General TRT Jayatunga (Retired) on 19 July 2011.

Thomas Rollo Tissa Jayatunge was born on 08 March 1938 in Kandy. He studied at Trinity College Kandy where along with his distinguished education he shone in many sports during his school career, especially in Cricket and Rugby and was a dynamic character in all aspects.

Tissa Jayatunge had decided to answer the call of the country and serve the Motherland and his Nation. Having enlisted in the Ceylon Army as an Officer Cadet on 02 November 1957, he underwent initial military training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst in the United Kingdom. On successful completion of military training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 17 December 1959. Young robust Second Lieutenant Tissa Jayatunge selected the path of soldiering in the family of infantry for his career in the military field and was posted to the 1 Battalion of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.

His dedication and determination to duties in all fields of military activity, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 17 June 1961, Captain on 17 June 1964 and Major on 23 January 1970. His outstanding performance was rewarded by his promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 01 May 1980, Colonel on 09 September 1985, Brigadier on 15 November 1992 and Major General on 08 March 1993.

The basis for his being clear headed, logical and intelligent in task assigned to this officer was improved from various courses he followed as shown below.
 

Platoon Commanders’ Course	-	United Kingdom
All Arms (Battle Group) Course	-	United Kingdom
Platoon Weapons Course	-	United Kingdom

With the formation of the 1 Battalion of the Gemunu Watch in 1962, experienced Lieutenant Tissa Jayatunge was transferred to the 1 Battalion of the  Gemunu Watch and after well establishing the Battalion he re-joined the Sinha Regiment in 1969.  

He imparted his knowledge to the success of his regiment and initially held the appointments of Platoon Commander and Company Commander of the 1 Battalion of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment. He commanded the 1 Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, later the 1 Battalion of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment. From the beginning of Major General Tissa Jayatunge’s military career, he has rendered an invaluable service in the operational areas of Northern and Eastern Provinces and bore responsibilities assigned to him with courage and much dedication achieving good results at all times. He shouldered the brunt as a front line officer in most of the major operations launched by the Sri Lanka Army during his illustrious military career of 41 years.

He held the following appointments during his tenure of service in the Sri Lanka Army.

Platoon Commander	-	The 1 Battalion of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
Platoon Commander	-	The 1 Battalion of the Gemunu Watch
Company Commander	-	The 1 Battalion of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
Officer Instructor	-	Army Training Centre Diyatalawa
Staff Officer II	-	Sri Lanka Army Medical Corps
Army Recruiting Officer	-	Recruiting Office Army Headquarters
Staff Officer I	-	Personnel Administration Branch Army Headquarters
Commanding Officer	-	The 1 Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment The 1 Battalion of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
Staff Officer I	-	Support Force Headquarters Panagoda
Officer Commanding	-	Trincomalee and Wanni Districts
Regimental Commander	-	Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment
Commandant	-	Army Training School Maduruoya
Colonel General Staff	-	3 Division Headquarters
Commander	-	33 Brigade Headquarters
Military Logistics Officer	-	Army Headquarters
Military Liaison Officer	-	Ministry of Defence

His sound military knowledge, dedication and commitment to work, coupled with the gentlemanly qualities which were charismatic stood this infantry officer in good stead for the performance of his duties in the appointments he held, bringing credit to his regiment and to the Sri Lanka Army.

The knowledge he gained from the courses he followed and the experience he acquired over the years enabled him to make significant contribution to Sri Lanka Army.

Major General Tissa Jayatunge was an Officer blessed with gentlemanly qualities coupled with professional competency, was a capable and effective military leader. He was awarded the following medals of honour in recognition of his enormous contribution to the Sri Lanka Army.
 

The Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal

The Republic of Sri Lanka Army 25 Anniversary Medal

Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal

Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal

President’s Inauguration Medal

Poorna Bhoomi Padakkama

The demise of   Major General Tissa Jayatunge has drawn a curtain of gloom. He leaves behind his beloved family members, friends, brother officers, soldiers and the Nation whom he served with dedication and patriotism. To them we extend our sincere condolence with its simplicity clothed in kindness, honesty and endless thought in an appreciation of a gentleman officer, friend and brother he was. His passing away definitely is an irreparable loss to his family, the service he represented and the country he served. At this moment of sadness, the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and all ranks join the family members of the late Major General Tissa Jayatunge in their hour of grief.

Though departed, his name will forever remain close to our hearts as a great patriot of Mother Lanka.  

                    
28 July 2011