New Military Spokesman

Brigadier H. A. Nihal Hapuarachchi RSP psc of Sri Lanka Corps of Engineers assumes office today as the twelfth Director of Media at Army Headquarters. He is also to serve the office of Military Spokesman.

Brigadier Nihal Hapuarachchi

Brigadier Hapuarachchi during his Army career of twenty-nine years after he was enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army (Regular Force) on May 25, 1982 has to-date held a number of command and staff appointments, including those in the Engineer Regiment.

During decisive battles against terrorists, he served as Brigadier General Staff at the Wanni Security Forces Headquarters. Similarly, he performed a challenging task in Jaffna as troops were rolling towards the North during Wanni humanitarian operations. Brigadier Hapuarachchi, was the Commanding Officer of the 7 Field Engineers of Sri Lanka Engineers in Infantry role and Commandant, School of Military Engineering, Commander, 513 Infantry Brigade, and had the opportunity of working as an Officer Instructor and subsequently as the Chief Instructor at the Sri Lanka Military Academy.

Brigadier Hapuarachchi, a recipient of the elite ‘Rana Sura Padakkama’ (RSP) in recognition of his gallantry in the battlefield has also been awarded eight more other medals, appreciative of his roles and services to the Army. He also received the President’s Medal at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa and a Gold Medal for his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from the University of Rajarata, Mihintale.

Brigadier Hapuarachchi who is an old boy of Royal College, Colombo was also a sportsman. He was awarded Colours for three sports and captained the Royal College volleyball team in 1978.

Brigadier Hapuarachchi has been serving as Brigadier Coordinating of the Sapugaskanda Defence Services Command and Staff College before taking up his new appointment at Army Headquarters today. He is married and has two sons.