New Army Chief of Staff assumes duties
Major General R.M.D Rathnayake RWP RSP USP ndu psc, more popularly
known as ‘Daya Rathnayake’ assumed duties last morning after a brief
ceremony as the 43rd Chief of Staff in the Sri Lanka Army.
Major General Rathnayake on entering his office at the Army
Headquarters observed religious rites.
As members of the Maha Sangha, led by Ven. Sugathawansa Thera of
Uththara Chethiyaramaya, Bandaragama commenced chanting ‘Seth Pirith’,
the new Chief of Staff initialled the first official document,
inaugurating administrative work in his new appointment. The clergy
invoked blessings on Maj. Gen. Rathnayake on his new appointment.
The chief of the clergy, showing his gesture of goodwill gifted a
memento to the newly appointed Chief of Staff.
Major General Rathnayake has been serving until up to now as
Commissioner General, Rehabilitation of former LTTE combatants and
Colonel of the Regiment, Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI) since August 6,
2009 and August 16, 2009 respectively. His dedication and contribution
for Rehabilitation of ex-LTTE combatants under the Ministry of Justice
has won him plaudits from all quarters both at local and international
levels.
Major General Rathnayake, to his credit served as Military Spokesman
between 2004- 2006.
He served as Commander, Forward Maintenance Area (North) from August
2007 to August 2009.
He was also the General Officer Commanding, 23 Division from December
2005 until up to August 2007 during the peak of Humanitarian Operations
in the East. Some of other prestigious and key appointments, held by
Major General Rathnayake to-date are as follows.
Chief of Military Staff at MoD (2003-2004), Area Commander, Kandy
(2002-2003), Commandant, SLLI Regimental Headquarters (2001-2002),
officiating Commander for 533 & 534 Brigades (1998-2000), Commanding
Officer, Officer Cadet Training Wing, Sri Lanka Military Academy,
Diyatalawa (1996-1998), Regimental Adjutant, SLLI (1991-1992) and a few
other appointments including those in the Unit between 1981- 1992.
Major General Rathnayake as an Infantry officer has followed a number
of local and foreign training courses during his illustrious career.
Commando Officers Course (India), Infantry Young Officers Course
(India), Battalion Special Weapons Course (India), Infantry Staff
Officer Course (USA), Junior Commander Course (India), Staff Course
(Bangladesh), Senior Commander Course (India), Infantry Course (USA),
Management Course (India) and National Defence University Course (China)
are among a few of them. He is a product of Maliyadeva College
Kurunegala and joined the Army on February 6, 1980 and received his
commission as 2nd Lieutenant on July 18, 1981.
His predecessor, Major General Mendaka Samarasinghe has now been
appointed to the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff as Chief of Staff,
Joint Staff. |