MAJ.GEN.RATNAYAKE TO BE ARMY CHIEF FROM AUGUST 1
Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Daya Ratnayake will be appointed as the 20th Commander of the Army from August 1 following the appointment made by President Mahinda Rajapaksa in his capacity as Commander-inChief of the Armed Forces, defence sources said.
With the incumbent Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya due to be appointed as Chief of Defence Staff from August 1, the current CDS Air Vice Marshall Roshan Gunathilake is to retire from military service upon the above taking effect.
Major Gen. Daya Ratnayake, one of the country’s most decorated Army officers is also to be promoted as Lieutenant General.
Major General Ratnayake, spearheaded the Army’s first major Operation in the Eelam war 4 in the East which was considered the major catalyst in the ensuing Humanitarian Operations ending with the annihilation of the LTTE.
During the Humanitarian Operations, Maj. Gen. Ratnayake held all commanding positions leading the forces in key strategic areas including Thoppigala and Vakarai, which ultimately led to the downfall of the LTTE.An old boy of Maliyadeva College Kurunegala, Ratnayake excelled in Rugby and Athletics at school and was a cadet, which led to him pursuing a career in the Military.
Major General Ratnayake joined the Military on February 6, 1980 and was commissioned on July 18, 1981.
During his Military career, Ratnayake held all positions in the Army, and is currently the Army’s senior-most infantry officer.
Major General Ratnayake however is the most recognised for his contribution to the reconciliation process after the completion of the war as Commissioner General of Rehabilitation of former LTTE cadres which was commended locally as well as internationally and among many of the Diaspora and Tamil nationalist groups.
He was also a former Military Spokesman and has been awarded the Ranashura and Ranawickrama awards continuously for his contribution towards the Army making him one of the most decorated military officers in service.