Former Army Commanders from Ananda

General Hamilton Wanasinghe (retd.)
Commander of the Sri Lanka Army (1988-1991)

An illustrious son of Ananda College, Maj. Gen. Wanasinghe was promoted Lieutenant General and was appointed as the Commander of the Army with effect from 16th August 1988. During his School days he excelled as a Cadet.

He was a member of the College Rifle Shooting Team, which won many coveted trophies. He has represented the then Ceylon Inter Dominion Small Bore Rifle Shooting Competition. Prior to being appointed as the Army Commander, he has held various portfolios in the Army’s hierarchical order. He has been awarded the Vishishta Seva Vibushana in recognition of his service to the nation.

General Rohan Daluwatte (retd.)
Commander of the Sri Lanka Army (1996 1998)

Rohan Daluwatte, another famous Anandian joined the Ceylon Army as an Officer Cadet on 16th June 1961. During his schooldays, he excelled in sports, and took part in Athletics, Basketball, Cricket, Badminton and Tennis. During his tenure in the Army he held important positions such as Chief Instructor of Officer Cadet School in ATC from 1979 to 1981, Commanding Officer of Sri Lanka Army Service Corps, CoOrdinating Officer Commanding Troops in Mannar, Director-Supplies and Transport, Commander of Army Training Centre, Military Secretary Army Headquarters etc. He was instrumental in establishing the Army Staff College.

General Lionel Balagalle (retd.)
Commander of the Sri Lanka Army (2000 2004)

An Anandian patriot, Balagalle joined the Army as an Officer Cadet on April 5, 1965. He was an outstanding student in his schooldays excelling in both sports and studies alike. He held many key appointments in the Army prior to being its Chief. Among them is General Officer Commanding (GOC), 51 divisions (Jaffna), Commander-Security Forces (Jaffna) etc. He is the first serving Army Commander in the country to hold the coveted position as the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).