Daya Rathnayake Appointed Army Commander
Major General Daya Rathnayake has been appointed Army Commander with effect from August 1, 2013 defense sources said.
He has also been promoted to lieutenant General with effect from August 1st.
Meanwhile Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya who was promoted to four Star General today has been appointed Chief of Defense Staff with effect from August 1.
With the incumbent Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya due to be appointed as Chief of Defence Staff from August 1, the current CDS Air Vice Marshall
Roshan Gunathilake is to retire, from military service upon the above taking effect.
Major Gen. Daya Ratnayake, one of the country’s most decorated Army officers is also to be promoted as Lieutenant General.
Major General Ratnayake, spearheaded the Army’s first major Operation in the Eelam war 4 in the East which was considered the major catalyst in the ensuing Humanitarian Operations ending with annihilation of the LTTE.
During the Humanitarian Operations, Maj. Gen. Ratnayake held all commanding positions leading the forces in key
strategic areas including Thoppigala and Vakarai, which ultimately led to the downfall of the LTTE.
An old boy of Maliyadeva College Kurunegala, Ratnayake excelled in Rugby and Athletics at school and was a cadet which led to him pursuing a career in the Military.
Major General Ratnayake joined the Military on February 6, 1980 and was commissioned on July 18, 1981.
During his Military career, Ratnayake held all positions in the Army, and is currently the Army’s senior most infantry officer.
