Commander Appreciates Service of Retiring Senior Officer Inviting him to Army HQ

The Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu on Wednesday (28) extended his best wishes and greetings to retiring Major General S.A Pathirana RSP of the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (SLEME) Regiment who is currently holding the office of the Commander, Forward Maintenance Area-North (FMA-North).

Major General S.A Pathirana RSP arrived at the Commander's office together with his family members on invitation on the eve of his retirement from the Army having served the country for more than 33 years in an exemplary manner.

During the meeting that ensued with the Army Chief at his office, both of them refreshed memories and milstones of the retiree's career and exchanged a couple of views and received best wishes from Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage for his retirement life.

Commander of the Army recalled instances of his dedicated roles during the height of the war against terrorism as a Logistic Officer before May 2009. The Army Chief while sharing few pleasantries with the guests also inquired into the retiring Senior Officer's future endeavours and plans. He also did not mince words to commend the invaluable support that has been given by his family members throughout his service, supporting the duty roles of the outgoing Senior Officer, being away from home.

The retiring Senior Officer also in turn thanked the Commander of the Army for his wishes and guidance while mentioning the encouragement he received in the performance of his duties. Towards the end of the interaction, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage awarded a special memento to the outgoing Major General S.A Pathirana RSP as a symbol of appreciation and commendation, along with a special gift to the family.

Major General S.A Pathirana RSP enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army on 14 November 1989 and underwent basic military training in the Kotelawala Defence Academy and the Sri Lanka Military Academy in the Intake 34 B. He was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and afterwards posted to the Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers. He was subsequently promoted to the rank of Major General on 06 June 2023.

He has been holding the office of the Commander, Forward Maintenance Area-North (FMA-North) at the time of his retirement. He also held the appointments of Platoon Commander at the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Officer Commanding of Armoured Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Workshop in 3rd Armoured Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, Workshop Officer of Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Base Workshop (Katubadda), Staff Officer 3 (Monitoring) of Directorate of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Staff Officer 2 (Local Agent) of Directorate of Electrical andMechanical Engineering, Officer Commanding of Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineer Base Workshop (Colombo), Chief Instructor of School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Officer Commanding of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Sri Lanka Battalion - United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Second-in-Command of 3 Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Overlooking Staff Officer 1 (Administration) of Regimental Centre - Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Second-in-Command of 5 Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Staff Officer 1 of Directorate of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering - Army Headquarters, Commandant of School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Commanding Officer of 5 Sri Lanka Electrical &Mechanical Engineers, Commandant of Army Industrial Project, Colonel (Administration and Quartering) of Headquarters 68 Infantry Division, Colonel (Administration and Quartering) of Headquarters 11 Infantry Division, Brigadier (Administration and Quartering) of Headquarters Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, and Centre Commandant Regimental Centre - Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

For his bravery and gallantry in the battlefields, he has been awarded the ‘Rana Sura Padakkama’.

Major General S.A Pathirana RSP followed many local and foreign courses during his military career, such as the Basic Computer Course, United Nations Staff Officers’ Course, Young Officers’ Basic Course in Bangladesh, Workshop Company Commanders’ Course in India, Senior Officers’ Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Course in India, Course of Operation of Main Battle Tank T-55 AM I in Czech Republic.

The retiring Senior Officer has also read for the Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Lahore- Pakistan, a Postgraduate Diploma in Energy Technology at the University of Moratuwa, Diploma in Tank Chassis and Engine Repair at the Academy of Armoured Forces Engineering, People's Liberation Army, China.