Vishista Seva Vibhushana decorations for 33 senior officers

Chaminda PERERA

Thirty three senior officers of the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and the Air Force yesterday received Vishista Seva Vibhushana decorations from President Mahinda Rajapaksa at the Presidential Secretariat.

The Vishista Seva Vibhushana is bestowed on officers who complete 25 years of outstanding service in the three Armed Forces and it is considered the highest military decoration that can be achieved in an officer’s career.

Twelve officers of Sri Lanka Army, including Army Commander Lt Gen Jagath Jayasuriya, 13 officials of the Sri Lanka Navy and 08 officials of the Sri Lanka Air Force, including its commander Air Chief Marshal H.D. Abeywickreme and 13 officials of Sri Lanka Navy received this prestigious awards.

Amongst those who attended the awards ceremony were Ministers John Seneviratne, Pavithra Wanniarachchi, Douglas Devananda, P. Dayaratne, Priyankara Jayaratne, Secretary to the President Laith Weeratunga, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, Chief of Defence Staff Air Marshal Roshan Gunathilake, Tri Forces Commanders and the Director General of Media Centre for National Security, Lakshman Hulugalle.

Following are the reciepients of Vishista Seva Vibushana decoration

Lt. Gen J. Jayasuriya, Major General D.R.A.B. Jayathilaka, Major General W.B. Peries, Major General T.T.R.De Silva, Major General N. Wijesinghe, Major General S.R. Balasuriya, Major General H.K.G. Hendavitharana, Major General G.A. Chandrasiri, Major General V.R. Siva

Major General N.A. Ranasinghe, Major General S.G. Karunarathne and Major General H.L. Weeratunga.

Sri Lanka Navy

Dr. Rear Admiral N.E.L.W. Jayasekera, Rear Admiral S.M.B. Weerasekera, Rear Admiral J.S.K. Kolambage, Rear Admiral M.T.D.J. Dharmasiriwardena, Rear Admiral S.A.M.J. Perera, Rear Admiral W.M.K.N. Weerakoon, Rear Admiral W.M.L.T.B. Illangakoon, Rear Admiral D.S. Molligoda, Rear Admiral A.A.R.A Dias, Rear Admiral R.R. Wijesundara, Rear Admiral M.A.J.De Costa, Rear Admiral J.C. Hettigama and Rear Admiral M. Premathilaka.

Sri Lanka Air Force

Air Marshal H.D. Abeywickrema, Air Vice Marshal K.A. Gunathilake, Air Vice Marshal K.R.A Ranasinghe, Air Vice Marshal W.A Silva, Air Vice Marshal S.P. Samararathna, Air Vice Marshal R.A Dayapala, Air Vice Marshal T.A.T.F.W. Gunawardena and Air Vice Marshal E.G.J..P. De Silva.