Senior Gunner, Major General P.W.B Jayasundara (Rtd) Laid to Rest amid Military Honours

Major General P.W.B Jayasundara (Rtd) VSV USP ndc USACGSC IG who had served the country for more than 34 years and earned admiration as an experienced Gunner in the Sri Lanka Artillery (SLA) was laid to rest this afternoon (12) at Borella General Cemetery, amid a mammoth gathering of his military comrades, family members and mourners.

Secretary Defence, General G.D.H Kamal Gunaratne (Rtd) WWV RWP RSP USP ndc psc MPhil, Chief of Defence Staff, General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil and Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu were among the cream of the military officers who were at the cemetery to pay their last respects to their former comrade.

Troops in accordance with military traditions at first received the remains, presenting arms near the main entrance to the cemetery before the coffin was placed in the gun carriage and draped it in the National flag. As the funeral procession reached the main entrance to the cemetery, a representative gathering of Senior Officers formally received the coffin and began to inch their way towards the crematorium after all of them together with family members lined up behind the coffin.

The formal Special Part I Order, issued by the Commander of the Army was then read out to the mourners as the occasion turned solemn. Troops in conformity with military traditions then saluted the deceased, presenting a symbolic gun salute, the highest tribute a military officer, could get in the event of his demise.

Minutes after the Last Post, the bugle call that sounded, indicating that the great soldier had now gone to his final rest, the remains were taken to the crematorium.

Seconds after that, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, Commander of the Army presented the bereaved family with the decorations and medals Major General P.W.B Jayasundara (Rtd) VSV USP ndc USACGSC IG, had earned during his illustrious career, a general tradition in the armed forces in the event of a death.

The military funeral of late Major General P.W.B Jayasundara (Rtd) VSV USP ndc USACGSC IG, was organized under the direct supervision of Major General W.A.S.S Wanasinghe RSP VSV USP ndu, Deputy Chief of Staff and Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Artillery. All arrangements to that effect were coordinated by Major General S.R.B Aluvihare RWP RSP, Adjutant General of the Army.

Retired Senior Officers, Principal Staff Officers, Senior Officers, Directors and other mourners were also there to salute the late officer as the dusk fell.

Major General P.W.B Jayasundara (Rtd) VSV USP ndc USACGSC IG after retirement from the Army was re-called to the active service and he served the office of the Director, National Cadet Corps until recent times. During his career, he held the office of Military Secretary, Master General Ordnance, Director Plans, General Officer Commanding of 52, 21 and 51 Infantry Divisions.

Here follows the Part 1 Order read out at the funeral;