Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne visited the family of Staff Sergeant H. P. S. Bandara in Hevadivela, Dulmune, who lost his life during the final stages of the war in May 2009.

According to the Sri Lanka Army, Bandara, served in the 4th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment.

During a decisive battle in the vicinity of the Nanthikadal Lagoon, Bandara displayed exceptional bravery and leadership by standing firm in the face of enemy attacks and protecting his fellow soldiers without regard for his own life on 17 May 2009. 

He was posthumously awarded the Parama Weera Vibhushanaya and Rana Sura Padakkama in recognition of his service.

The Army Commander, during his recent visit, met Bandara’s wife, Mrs. Darshani Nayana Weeragoda, and close family members, inquiring into their welfare and future needs. He assured them of the Army’s continued support. (Newswire)

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The newly appointed Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne, met President Anura Kumara Dissanayake at the Presidential Secretariat today (05). 

This was the first official meeting between Lieutenant General Premaratne and the President following his assumption of duties as the 26th Army Commander. 

In keeping with the longstanding tradition of meeting the Head of State upon assuming office, the Army Commander visited the Presidential Secretariat and exchanged commemorative mementoes with President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

The President also extended his felicitations to Lieutenant General Premaratne on his appointment as Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. (Newswire)

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Lieutenant General K.V.N.P. Premaratne received his letter of appointment as the 26th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army from Presidential Secretary Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake at the Presidential Secretariat this afternoon (31). 

The appointment, on the instructions of Commander‑in‑Chief of the Armed Forces, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, takes effect from August 1, following the retirement of General Lasantha Rodrigo today. 

Major General K.V.N.P. Premaratne RSP, USP, nps, psc, who has been serving as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, has also been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant General. 

An old boy of St Servatius’ College, Matara, Lieutenant General Premaratne joined the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet in 1990. Upon successfully completing his basic military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, in 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and was subsequently posted to the Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment. 

Lieutenant General Premaratne holds a Master’s degree in Defence Studies from the Naval Postgraduate School in California, United States and a Master of Defence Studies (M. Def. S) degree from the University of Kelaniya. 

During his distinguished military career spanning 36 years, Lieutenant General Premaratne has completed numerous professional and specialist military training programmes in Sri Lanka and overseas. 

In recognition of his exceptional gallantry during the humanitarian operation, he has been awarded the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) on two occasions. He has also been awarded the Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) in recognition of his distinguished service to the Sri Lanka Army. (Newswire)

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Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, has been granted a service extension.

According to the Army Spokesman, Army Commander Lasantha Rodrigo has been granted a one-year service extension, effective from 01 August 2025. 

The service extension has been granted by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake. 

Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo was appointed as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, effective from 31st December 2024.

Prior to his appointment, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army. (Newswire)

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The newly appointed Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo officially assumed duties at the Army Headquarters today.

Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo replaces former Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage who retired following the completion of his service extension.

Secretary to the President Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake yesterday handed over the official appointment letter of Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. 

Major General Lasantha Rodrigo previously served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and the Commandant of the Defence Services Command and Staff College. (Newswire)

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Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage achieved the status of Military Para Trooper on Monday (Jan 22) through his profound expertise and knowledge in military parachuting. 

According to the Sri Lanka Army, the Commander’s journey to become a Military Paratrooper took place at the Commando Regiment Training School (CRTS) in Kudaoya.

On Monday, the Commander of the Army, with other participants including 18 military personnel from the Maldives National Defence Force and 14 members from the Sri Lanka Army, took to the skies aboard an MI-17 helicopter at the Uhana Air Force Base runway. The Commander executed parachute jumps over the Uhana Air Force Base drop zone, officially joining the esteemed family of airborne soldiers. 

This achievement is particularly a significant milestone in the annals of military history as it marks the first-ever attainment of the designation; Military Para Trooper by a distinguished individual holding the esteemed rank of Lieutenant General, who is concurrently serving as the Commander of the Army. Further, Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage has attained remarkable distinction as the eldest highest-ranking military personnel to successfully qualify as a Military Para Trooper.

Major General A.C.A de Zoysa USP Hdmc Lsc, Provost Marshal, and Colonel Commandant, Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police also joined the Army Chief in this endeavour. (NewsWire)

Sri Lanka Army Commander soars to new heights as Military Para Trooper pic.twitter.com/0l46ajLeiv

— NewsWire (@NewsWireLK) January 24, 2024

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The 16th Army Commander of Sri Lanka, General (Retired) Lionel Balagalle has passed away.

Sri Lanka Army Spokesman Brigadier Ravi Herath stated that General (Retired) Lionel Balagalle was 75 years old at the time of his demise. 

He is reported to have passed away while receiving treatment at the Army Hospital in Colombo today.

His funeral arrangements will be notified later. (NewsWire)

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