About Me

{I am a native of Kandy and a product of Ananda College, Colombo. I was a College Prefect and played Rugger and represented school at all age groups and represented the University of Colombo. I captained the 2nd XV team for the school and the University of Colombo and has obtained colours. I was enlisted to the Sir John Kothalawala Defence Academy under Intake III on 03 August 1982 as a Service Cadet and joined the Intake 20 as an officer cadet at the Sri Lanka Military Academy. After successful completion of the officer cadet training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, I opted to join the Corps of Engineers and was posted to the 1st Field Engineers Regiment as a 2nd Lieutenant on 31 May 1986. After completing my tenure as a Troop Commander, I commanded all three Field Squadrons (61, 62 and 63), 64 Plant Squadron in the field and became the Second in Command 6 SLE (RFT). Thereafter, I commanded the elite Bomb Disposal Squadron (EOD) and engaged in disposal (IEDD) and repulsing of all terrorist IED attacks during the Elam War 2. As a Battalion Commanding Officer, I commanded 8 SLE (RFT) in Kokuthuduwai and the 1st Field Engineer Regiment in East in infantry and classic roles respectively. In addition, I have served as the Commanding Officer of the Independent Workshop SLE. I have represented the Corps of Engineer's firing team in Combat Shooting and I have won several gold medals in Lt Col category at Inter Unit Level and formation level (Eastern theater) from 2001 - 2003. In the year 2003, I won the 1st place (gold medal) and was adjusted as the best Lt Col in the SL Army Inter Regiment Combat Shoot - 2003 conducted by the SL Army Small Arms Association. Serving away from the Corps, I was privileged to hold the Center Commandant appointment at the elite Commando Regiment. I am also a qualified Airborne Paratrooper. During my 36 years of military carrier, I have commanded 524 and 643 Infantry Brigades at PPD and Muthiyankattu respectively and as the Area Comd Area HQ - DLA. Subsequently appointed as the General Officer Commanding of 23 and 64 Infantry Divisions at Punnani and Oddusuddan respectively and held the appointment of Commander Security Force Headquarters - East. Awarded gallantry medal “Rana Sura Paddakkama” thrice for acts of bravery in the face of the enemy in the battles as a Troop/Squadron Commander and adorned with “Desha Putra Sammanaya” for Wounded in Action twice against the enemy in the battle field. Conferred with the honorary title “iq.; Ydik ckch idOk iu.% YS%"” by the Buddhist Monastic of the “Pulathisipura” Chapter in recognition for the contribution on fostering of the Buddha Sasana as the Commander Security Force Headquarters - East. I have built my capacity by attending 15 local courses and several overseas courses. I have followed Engineer Young Officers Course at the College of Military Engineering in Pune-India, Mid Carrier Course at the College of Military Engineering in Risalpur-Pakistan, Combined Officers Bomb Disposal Course at the College of Military Engineering in Pune-India, Senior Command Course at the Army War College in Mhow - India, Strategic Studies Course for Near East South Asia at the National Defence University at the Washington DC-USA, Peace Support Operations Staff Course in Jakarta-Indonesia, Project Management Course at Naresuan University in Thailand and National Security and War Course at the National Defence University (NDU) at Islamabad-Pakistan. After retirement, I served as the Deputy Director General of the Sri Lanka Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (Ministry of Tourism).}