27th April 2026
Major General K.D.U. Karunarathna RSP USP was invited to the office of the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, on 27 April 2026, prior to his retirement from the Sri Lanka Army after a distinguished military career spanning over 33 years.
Major General K.D.U. Karunarathna RSP USP enlisted in the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet of Intake 39 on 04 January 1993. Upon successful completion of military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 09 April 1994 and subsequently to the Special Forces Regiment. After being steadily elevated through the ranks during his service, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 22 March 2026. The Senior Officer will retire from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from 02 May 2026 on reaching 55 years of age. At the time of his retirement, he holds the appointment of Commandant, Senehasa Education Resource and Research Information Centre.
Throughout his illustrious military career, the Senior Officer has held numerous key appointments. He has served as Group Commander of ‘E’ Squadron at the 2 Special Forces Regiment, Mess Manager of the Regimental Centre at the Special Forces Regiment, Officer Commanding of the Recruiting Section, Regimental Headquarters Battalion at the Special Forces Regiment, Officer Commanding (Administration) of the Regimental Headquarters Battalion at the Special Forces Regiment, Second-in-Command of the Regimental Headquarters Battalion at the Special Forces Regiment, Officer-in-Charge of the Benevolent Fund Section, Regimental Centre at the Special Forces Regiment, and Commanding Officer of the Regimental Headquarters Battalion at the Special Forces Regiment.
He has also served as Senior Counsellor of Mihindu Seth Medura, Deputy Commandant of Mihindu Seth Medura, Commandant of Abhimansala 1 (Anuradhapura) and Commandant of the Senehasa Education Resource and Research Information Centre.
In recognition of his dedicated and exemplary service, he was awarded the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) on three occasions and the Utthama Seva Padakkama (USP). The Senior Officer was critically injured in action on 09 January 1997 during the Paranthan attack by the LTTE. Despite the significant challenges that followed, he continued to serve the nation with unwavering dedication and commitment, consistently showcasing his devotion to duty throughout his active military career.
The Senior Officer has successfully completed several local courses, including the Special Forces Basic Course, Basic Marksmanship Course and Balance Style Course.
In addition to his military qualifications, the Senior Officer has obtained a Diploma in Computer Studies at IDM Computer Studies (Pvt) Limited, a Professional Qualification in Human Resource Management at IPM, a Diploma in Personal Computer Assembling, Networking and User Technical Support at IDM Computer Studies (Pvt) Limited, a Certificate Course in Human Resource Management, a National Diploma in Human Resource Management at IPM, Sri Lanka, a Certificate Course in Law for Administrators at Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration, a Diploma in Counselling at Sri Lanka Foundation and a Master of Science (Defence Studies) at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University.
