A shining specimen both on the field and off
MAJOR GENERAL NIRMAL DHARMARATNE WWV, RWP, RSP, NDU, PSC
From the white epaulettes of an Officer Cadet of the Military Academy, to the sword and baton insignia of a General Officer, lies one of the toughest career journeys spanning over three decades. It is even tougher when it begins during a war that also goes on for decades. Yet some who embark on this journey are so gritty that they adorn even that most arduous path with exceptional achievements, contributions and sacrifices. Ending such an illustrious career and service to the nation spanning 35 years, the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, Major General Nirmal Dharmaratne WWV, RWP, RSP, ndu, psc retired from the service on January 19, - his 55th birthday.
Gen Dharmaratne is a product of the prestigious Dharmaraja College Kandy. He excelled at school in sports as well as in studies, winning college colours for rugby, hockey, football and cadetting. He captained the college rugby team in 1984.
He joined the Sri Lanka Army on January 18, 1985. After successfully completing the officer cadet training course at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, he was commissioned on June 3, 1986 into the 1st Battalion of the Gajaba Regiment which was then commanded by the iconic infantry commander, the late Major General (P) Wijaya Wimalarathne (then Lt Col). The battalion was deployed in the Jaffna peninsula at that time to counter LTTE terrorism. As a platoon commander, he took part in many operations including the famous Vadamarachchi campaign.
In 1988, as a lieutenant, he joined the elite Special Forces Regiment. After successfully completing the grueling six-month SF basic training course, he was absorbed into the SF Regiment and appointed a Group Commander, and was elevated to Squadron Commander in 1991. During this period he took part in, or independently led, a number of operations behind enemy lines and rescue operations and was wounded in action twice. His fearless conduct in the face of the enemy during this period was rewarded with two Desha Puthra medals. With promotion to the rank of Major in January 1994, he was appointed as the Chief Instructor of the SF Training School in Maduru Oya. In 1996 he was recalled to the Gajaba Regiment to raise and command its 14th Battalion. This battalion was entrusted with the task of defending the strategically sensitive Kilali and Chavakachcheri areas. There were several major thrusts by the LTTE on those fronts during that period, but they were successfully repulsed under his able command.
In January 2000, he was appointed Commanding Officer of the 3rd Battalion Gajaba Regiment deployed in the tactically important area in Elephant Pass. When the logistically-strangled Elephant Pass military base fell to the LTTE, he led his battalion to assist in the withdrawal of the other troops in the area, and at the end, to relocate itself to safer grounds with minimum casualties, despite he himself suffering from near fatal dehydration.
In February 2001 he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and appointed as the Commanding Officer of the Army Training School (ATS), Maduru Oya. In 2003 he was appointed the Commanding Officer of the Officer Cadet Training Wing of the Kotelawala Defence Academy.
In 2005, as it became evident that the ceasefire between the government and the LTTE was not going to hold, the then Commander of the Army made drastic changes in the battlefront commands. Lt Col Dharmaratne was appointed Brigade Commander of the 215 Brigade, Mannar. In 2006 he was asked to take command of the 553 Brigade which was manning the Muhamale defenses, which was most critical for the security of the Jaffna peninsula. The Brigade, under his leadership, stood like an impregnable wall repulsing the frequent LTTE attempts to penetrate.
As he continued to prove his mettle as a field commander, in 2007 he was appointed the commander of the elite Special Forces of which he had been a founding member. It was the time the humanitarian operation that ultimately wiped out the LTTE was in progress, and for the same reason the most critical and challenging period for the SF Brigade since its formation. As the war was raging, the SF Brigade, under his leadership, carried out many covert operations in the North and the East behind enemy lines, and also actions in support of other formations, which included surprise attacks, deep reconnaissance for intelligence purposes and to direct air and artillery fire, counter attacks and high risk rescue operations.
The long range patrols (LRP) of the SF moved deep into the rear of the enemy and conducted many successful attacks, killing their commanders and destroying vital combat assets, instilling mortal fear in the LTTE cadres including their leader Prabhakaran, and thereby limiting their freedom of action and movement. LRPs operated as deep as 50 kilometres in enemy-held areas while the range of the other SF elements was around 10 kilometres, bringing death and destruction to the LTTE in their own backyard. During this stint in the SF, in recognition of his exemplary and successful command of the Special Forces Brigade, he was promoted to the ranks of Colonel and Brigadier in close succession. He was also awarded the prestigious Golden Eagle badge of the Special Forces in recognition of his service, excellent leadership and contribution to the advancement of the SF.
Among many, the most notable collective contribution of the Special Forces to the success of the humanitarian operation was the end January 2009 counter-attack following a devastating all out attack launched by the LTTE in desperation following their mounting losses on all fronts. In recognition of his leadership of the troops moving along with them in that raging intense battle he was awarded the Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya, the highest military decoration awarded to a living serviceman.
In March 2009 he was appointed the defence attaché of the British High Commission in the United Kingdom. It was a crucial period for the High Commission, as the focus of the world powers, including the United Kingdom, was on Sri Lanka with desperate mediation attempts to stop the operation and bring about a truce as annihilation of the LTTE seemed imminent. As DA he had to handle several tough media interviews during this period.
When he returned to Sri Lanka in October 2010 having finished the stint in the United Kingdom, he assumed duties as the Director - Operations at the Army Headquarters. Later he was appointed Director Personnel Administration.
In mid-2012 he was selected on merit, to follow the ‘ndu’ course at the National Defence University in the United States. Upon Returning to the island, he was appointed the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 12 Division headquartered in Hambantota where he served until September 2015. Thereafter, he was posted as the GOC of the 55 Division headquartered at Kadaikodu, Jaffna. In February 2016 he was promoted to the rank of Major General.
In March 2017 he was appointed ‘Director General- General Staff ’ of the Office of the Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS) and later elevated to Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff at the Office of the CDS. In September 2019 he was appointed the Commandant of the Volunteer Force. On November 22, 2019 he was appointed the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army.
Gen Dharmaratne is an excellent parachute jumper. In 2017 he became the Chairman of the Army Skydiving committee. Making best use of this position for Sri Lanka he obtained overseas special training opportunities for our service personnel. Subsequently he and his skydiving team acquired special parachuting skills in the UK and the UAE. He also negotiated with the British Army on behalf of Sri Lanka for opportunities for our skydivers to participate in their skydiving competitions. Consequently our skydivers won several gold medals at the British Armed Forces parachute competitions. General Dharmaratne is the most senior and oldest skydiver in Sri Lanka. He completed his 200th jump in January this year in Australia skydiving from a height of 15,000 feet.
Gen Dharmaratne holds two MSc degrees: one from National Defense University, USA and another from the University of Kelaniya (MSc in Defense Studies). He holds diplomas in Human Resource Management from the Institute of Personnel Management and University of Indore. He has represented Sri Lanka in many international forums. He has followed many career and specialised training courses, both overseas and local, and published several academic papers and articles, both on mili
Whenever he was holding noncombat administrative posts, and during ceasefires, he took part in sports and social events. He played rugby, volleyball, basketball and cricket and took part in athletics. He and his wife are wonderful social dancers.
tary and non-military subjects.
Whenever he was holding non-combat administrative posts, and during ceasefires, he took part in sports and social events. He played rugby for the Gajaba Regiment, Kotelawala Defence Academy and Puffins Rugby Club, Colombo and took part in athletics. He also represented the Gajaba Regiment and KDA in volleyball, basketball and cricket. Recently he took to golf and in no time won the Inter-Regiment championship. He and his wife are wonderful social dancers who have won dancing competitions at many social events, often winning air tickets to overseas destinations. He, with his accomplished lady on the dance floor is truly a sight to see.
Unassuming, mild mannered and soft spoken, he strongly believes in recognising hard and dedicated work at all levels. His intervention as DPA to have the deserving yet overlooked tri-forces and Police officers and men awarded appropriate gallantry medals manifests this quality. Another is an article titled “Tribute to a comrade in arms” he wrote about the unsung silent hero Major General Chagi Gallage, upon the latter’s retirement.
He is a recipient of the following medals: Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya, Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Rana Sura Padakkama, North and East
Operations, Desha Putra Sammanaya, Vadamarachchi Campaign, Operation Riviresa and Purna Bhumi Padakkama.
Although he was the most senior serving Major General under 55 years of age since November 2019, he was destined not to hold the prestigious position of Chief of Staff of the Army. Nor was he, even after reaching that age. Yet, he ends his illustrious military career leaving his footprints in the history of the Army as an iconic role model especially for future commanders of the fighting elements of the Army.
Take a bow General… You owe no debt to your motherland !!
Upali Jayalath (The full version of this article is available on www.sundaytimes.lk)