Major General H.S Hapuarachchi (Rtd), a veteran in the Sri Lanka Army and his regiment, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment (SLSR), passed away on Tuesday (5) at the age of 72 years after a distinguished military career of more than 33 years.His funeral with military honours takes place on Thursday (7) at Polgahawela General Cemetery crematorium at 3 p.m. His remains lie at No 101, ‘Sisila’ Bangalawatta, Dewalegama.
Here appears the Special Part - 1 Order, issued by the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva on his demise.
ARMY HEADQUARTERS
SPECIAL PART I ORDER
ISSUED BY THE COMMANDER OF THE ARMY
LIEUTENANT GENERAL AWJC DE SILVA RWP USP ndu psc
MAJOR GENERAL HS HAPUARACHCHI (RTD) USP
With an extreme feeling of deep sorrow, sincerity and wholehearted emotional sympathy, the Commander of the Army, all Officers and Other Ranks express their sadness on the demise of Major General HS Hapuarachchi (Rtd) USP on 05th May 2015.
Hapuarachchige Somadasa Hapuarachchi was born to Mr. Punchirala Hapuarachchi and Mrs. Kirige Alpinahami Ranmuthugala on 23rd February1943 in Kirallawala, Kadawatha. He studied at Kegalle Maha Vidayala and Dharmaraja College, Kandy, where along with his distinguished education he shown in many sports during his school career, especially in Table Tennis, Hockey, Basketball, Soccer and Badminton and was a dynamic character in all aspects. After he graduated from the University of Peradeniya in1960, he received the first appointment as a teacher in arts subjects at Central College,Welimada.
He had decided to answer the call of the country and serve his motherland and nation. Having enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 01st September 1965, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Young robust 2nd Lieutenant HS Hapuarachchi selected the path of soldiering in the family of the infantry for his career in the military field and was posted to 1st Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.
Due to his dedication and commitment towards duties in all fields of military activities, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 01st March 1967, Captain on 01st March 1970 and Major on 01st December 1975. His outstanding performance was rewarded with promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 01st May 1985, Colonel on 16th December 1986, Brigadier on 01st May 1989 and Major General on 01st December 1994.
The basis for his being clear headed, logical and intelligent in tasks assigned to this officer was improved from various local and overseas courses he followed and seminars attended as shown below.
Hapuarachchige Somadasa Hapuarachchi was born to Mr. Punchirala Hapuarachchi and Mrs. Kirige Alpinahami Ranmuthugala on 23rd February1943 in Kirallawala, Kadawatha. He studied at Kegalle Maha Vidayala and Dharmaraja College, Kandy, where along with his distinguished education he shown in many sports during his school career, especially in Table Tennis, Hockey, Basketball, Soccer and Badminton and was a dynamic character in all aspects. After he graduated from the University of Peradeniya in1960, he received the first appointment as a teacher in arts subjects at Central College,Welimada.
He had decided to answer the call of the country and serve his motherland and nation. Having enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 01st September 1965, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. Young robust 2nd Lieutenant HS Hapuarachchi selected the path of soldiering in the family of the infantry for his career in the military field and was posted to 1st Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.
Due to his dedication and commitment towards duties in all fields of military activities, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 01st March 1967, Captain on 01st March 1970 and Major on 01st December 1975. His outstanding performance was rewarded with promotion to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 01st May 1985, Colonel on 16th December 1986, Brigadier on 01st May 1989 and Major General on 01st December 1994.
The basis for his being clear headed, logical and intelligent in tasks assigned to this officer was improved from various local and overseas courses he followed and seminars attended as shown below.
| CIJW Course | - India |
| Junior Command Course | - India |
| All Arms Tactics Course | - Malaysia |
| Advance Infantry Officer Course | - United States of America |
| PAMS Seminar | - Korea |
| Peace Keeping Seminar | - India |
The knowledge he gained from the courses he followed and the experience he acquired over the years enabled him to make a significant contribution to the Sri Lanka Army.
He imparted his knowledge and experience to his subordinates thus contributing to the success of his Regiment in particular and the Army in general. From the beginning of Major General HS Hapuarachchi’s distinguished military career of 33 years, he has rendered invaluable service to the Army and the Nation.
He held the following appointments during his tenure of service in the Sri Lanka Army.
He imparted his knowledge and experience to his subordinates thus contributing to the success of his Regiment in particular and the Army in general. From the beginning of Major General HS Hapuarachchi’s distinguished military career of 33 years, he has rendered invaluable service to the Army and the Nation.
He held the following appointments during his tenure of service in the Sri Lanka Army.
| Platoon Commander | - 1st Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment |
| Adjutant | - 3rd Vol Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment |
| Adjutant | - 2nd Vol Sri Lanka Light Infantry |
| Staff Officer II | - Central Command |
| Staff Officer II (Ops/Trg) | - Task Force 2 - Kandy |
| Staff Officer II (Ops) | - HQ North Command |
| Commanding Officer | - Sri Lanka Military Academy |
| Commanding Officer | - 4th Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment |
| Staff Officer I (Admin) | - Army Headquarters |
| Coordinating Officer | - Monaragala District |
| Deputy Commander | - 21 Brigade |
| Coordinating Officer | - Polonnaruwa District |
| Security Force Commander | - Polonnaruwa |
| Coordinating Chief | - North Central Province |
| Regimental Commander | - Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment |
| Director Infantry | - Army Headquarters |
| Commander | - 23 Brigade |
| Director Training | - Army Headquarters |
| Military Secretary | - Army Headquarters |
| Commander | - 33 Brigade |
| Acting Adjutant General | - Army Headquarters |
| General Officer Commanding | - 3rd Division |
| General Officer Commanding | - 1st Division |
| Commandant | - Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force |
| Director General General Staff | - Army Headquarters |
| Chief of Staff | - Army Headquarters |
| Acting Commander of the Army | - Army Headquarters |
His sound military knowledge, dedication and commitment to work, coupled with the gentlemanly qualities which were charismatic stood this infantry officer in good stead in the performance of his duties in the appointments he held, bringing credit to his Regiment and to the Sri Lanka Army.
Major General HS Hapuarachchi was a capable and effective military leader blessed with professional competence to be looked upon as an example by his subordinates. He was awarded the following medals in recognition of his enormous contribution to the Sri Lanka Army.
Uttama Seva Padakkama
Poorna Bhoomi Padakkama
North and East Operational Medal
Vadamarachchi Operation Medal
Riviresa Campaign Service Medal
Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal 1972
Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal 1974
50th Independence Anniversary Medal
Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal 1979
Presidents Inauguration Medal 1978
Poorna Bhoomi Padakkama
North and East Operational Medal
Vadamarachchi Operation Medal
Riviresa Campaign Service Medal
Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal 1972
Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal 1974
50th Independence Anniversary Medal
Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal 1979
Presidents Inauguration Medal 1978
The demise of Major General HS Hapuarachchi 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 simplicity clothed in kindness, honesty and endless thought in appreciation of a gentleman officer, friend and brother. His passing away definitely is an irreparable loss to his family, the service he represented and the country he served. On this sad occasion the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and all ranks join the family members of the Late Major General HS Hapuarachchi in sharing their grief.
Though departed, his name will forever remain close to our hearts as a great patriot of Mother Lanka.
Though departed, his name will forever remain close to our hearts as a great patriot of Mother Lanka.
MAY HE ATTAIN THE SUPREME BLISS OF NIBBANA
| 07 May 2015 | M Hathurusinghe RSP ndc IG | ||
| Major General | |||
| Adjutant General |
