Nearly 7499 Sri Lanka Army personnel from different ranks have been promoted by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces President Ranil Wickremesinghe, in view of the 73rd Army Anniversary Day, which is marked today (10 October).
The promotions have been made on the recommendation of the Ministry of Defence and Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage attaching significance to the 73rd Army Anniversary Day.
Thereby, a total of 372 Officers of the Sri Lanka Army (Regular and Volunteer Force) and a record 7127 Other Ranks of the Army (Regular Force and Volunteer Force and Extra Regimental Employment Basis) have been promoted to their respective next ranks.
Accordingly, 05 Brigadiers to the rank of Major General, 23 Colonels to the rank of Brigadier, 28 Lieutenant Colonels to the rank of Colonel, 35 Majors to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, 125 Captains to the rank of Major, 63 Lieutenants to the rank of Captain and 93 Second Lieutenants to the rank of Lieutenant (Regular Force & Volunteer Force) have been thus promoted in the Officers’ category.
In the category of Other Ranks, a total of 136 Warrant Officers-11 to the rank of Warrant Officer-1, 624 Staff Sergeants to the rank of Warrant Officer-11, 911 Sergeants to the rank of Staff Sergeant, 1250 Corporals to the rank of Sergeant, 2199 Lance Corporals to the rank of Corporal and 2007 Privates to the rank of Lance Corporal (Regular Force, Volunteer Force, and Extra Regimental Employment basis) have also been promoted.
Five Senior Brigadiers who have been elevated to the two-star Major General rank in the Army include Brigadier Senaka Kasthurimudali of Gemunu Watch, Commandant, Army Training School – Maduru Oya, Brigadier Ranjan Jayasekara of Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Director, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Brigadier Janaka Priyadarshana of Mechanized Infantry Regiment, General Officer Commanding 66 Division, Brigadier Roshan Jayamanna of Gemunu Watch, General Officer Commanding 14 Division and Brigadier Janaka Ranasinghe of Sri Lanka Artillery attached to Regimental Centre.
In his message to mark the 73rd Army Anniversary Day, Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage said the prime responsibility of the Sri Lanka Army is to identify the threats to national security and protect the Constitution and democracy in the country and our unity as one would help to overcome any challenge that may pose in the future.
“I encourage you to avoid procrastination and discharge your duties effectively to reach the goals of the organization and serve the best interests of the Nation,” the Commander of the Army added. (NewsWire)