Former army commander's final rites held with full military honours

The funeral of former Army Commander, General Lionel Balagalle took place yesterday at the Borella General Cemetery with full military honours.

General Balagalle passed

Gen. Lionel Balagalle away on Thursday at the age of 75 from a brief illness while being treated at the Army Hospital, Narahenpita.

He became the 16th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army in August 2000 and relinquished his duties four years later in June 2004.

Gen Balagalle was appointed as Chief of Defence Staff as Head for Tri-Forces in October 2003. It was the first time a serving commander was made a Chief of the Armed Forces in Sri Lanka.

He enlisted in the Army as an Officer Cadet in 1965, and was commissioned in 1967 as a second Lieutenant and posted to the 4th Regiment, Sri Lanka Artillery.

Among key appointments held by Gen Balagalle during his long and distinguished military career were Chief of Staff, Deputy Chief of Staff, Security Forces Commander Wanni, Security Forces Commander Jaffna, Colonel Commandant of Military Intelligence Corps, General Officer Commanding, 51 Division (Jaffna), General Officer Commanding Task Force 2 for Elephant Pass, Pooneryn, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya areas, Commander Artillery Brigade, Director Military Intelligence and Commanding Officer Military Intelligence Corps.

Among the many honours he was accorded were two gallantry awards; the Rana Wickrema Padakkama (RWP) and Rana Soora Padakkama (RSP), three distinguished service medals, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV) and the Uththama Seva Padakkama (USP).