28th December 2023 15:02:48 Hours
Brigadier E A D K Edirisinghe of the Corps of Engineer Services (CES) who has been serving as Director Engineer Services at the Directorate of Engineer Services, Army Headquarters suddenly passed away on Sunday (24) afternoon after a brief illness. He was 52 years of age at the time of his untimely demise. His funeral with full military honours took place on Wednesday (27 Dec) at Borella General Cemetery at 4.30 pm.
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Shavendra Silva WWV RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc MPhil and the Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage RWP RSP ndu paid their respect.
At the cemetery, tri services Officers and Other Ranks, including the Deputy Chief of Staff, Major General S P A I M B Samarakoon Hdmc Lsc, who represented the Commander of the Army at the cemetery, Adjutant General, Major General S R B Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc and Director General Financial Management and Colonel Commandant of Corps of Engineer Services Major General AHLG Amarapala RWP RSP ndc psc were present at the military funeral.
The Special Part 1 Order issued by Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage, the Commander of the Army said that he remained a source of encouragement and inspiration to both Officers and Other Ranks of the Corps of Engineer Services.
Troops in accordance with military traditions received the remains, presenting arms near the cemetery before it was placed in the gun carriage and draped it in the National flag. As the funeral procession reached the main entrance to the cemetery, a representative gathering of senior officers formally, received the coffin and began to inch their way towards the cemetery as family members lined up behind the coffin.
The formal Special Part I Order, issued by the Commander of the Army was then read out to the mourners as the occasion turned solemn. Troops in conformity with military traditions then saluted the deceased, presenting a symbolic gun salute, the highest tribute a military officer, could get in the event of his demise.
Minutes after the Last Post, the bugle call that sounded, indicating that the great soldier had now gone to his final rest, the remains were taken to the interment.
Seconds after that, Deputy Chief of Staff together with Director General Financial Management and Colonel Commandant of Corps of Engineer Services presented the bereaved family with the decorations and medals Brigadier Disna Edirisinghe had earned during his illustrious career, a general tradition, practice in the armed forces.
The full text of the Part I Order issued by the Commander of the Army on the demise of Brigadier Disna Edirisinghe is as follows;
ARMY HEADQUARTERS SPECIAL PART 1 ORDER ISSUED BY THE COMMANDER OF THE ARMY LIEUTENANT GENERAL HLVM LIYANAGE RWP RSP ndu
LATE BRIGADIER EADK EDIRISINGHE
It is with deep regret and profound sadness that the Commander of the Army and All Ranks of the Sri Lanka Army pronounce the sudden demise of Brigadier EADK Edirisinghe on 24 December 2023 while he was performing duties as The Director Engineer Services, of Sri Lanka Army Headquarters, Baththaramulla.
Edirisinghe Arachchige Disna Kumara Edirisinghe was born on 30 January 1971 in Gampola. He received his primary and secondary education from St. Sylvesters College, Kandy where he excelled both in academics and sports.
With the completion of his school education, he had joined the Sri Lanka Army on 17 November 1991 as an Officer Cadet to the Intake IX of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy and successfully completed the degree programme in civil engineering. Then he obtained his basic military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa. Upon successful completion of his training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 22 November 1993 and he was posted to one of the prestigious regiment in the Sri Lanka Army, Corps of Engineer Services.
His unwavering dedication, exceptional commitment and remarkable competence displayed towards the organization paved the way for him to be promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant on 22 May 1995, Captain on 22 May 1998 and Major on 22 May 2006. His remarkable leadership qualities were further honoured by promoting him to the senior ranks of Lieutenant Colonel on 17 November 2009, Colonel on 17 November 2017 and Brigadier on 04 February 2022.
During his tour of duty, he had followed many local and foreign courses such as:
Engineer Officers’ Works Procedure Course 40 in India
Barrack Technology Course in China
During his illustrious military career, he had held numerous Command and Staff appointments in different capacities, whilst displaying a high degree of professionalism and utmost commitments such as:
Garrison Engineer (Jaffna)
Garrison Engineer (Vavuniya)
Adjutant –1st Engineer Services Regiment
Garrison Engineer (Trincomalee)
Garrison Engineer (Minneriya)
Officer Commanding of the Building Materials Troop, 3rd Engineer Services Regiment
Regimental Adjutant - Regimental Centre, Corps of Engineer Services Officer Commanding - 11 Engineer Services Squadron
Officer Commanding - 12 Engineer Services Squadron
Second in Command -2ndEngineer Services Regiment
Officiating Commanding Officer -11th Engineer Services Regiment
General Staff Officer 1 - Regimental Centre, Corps of Engineer Services
Officiating Commanding Officer -14th (V) Engineer Services Regiment
Staff Officer 1 (Admin) - Regimental Centre, Corps of Engineer Services
Colonel (Engineer Services) - Directorate of Engineer Services Army Headquarters
Centre Commandant - Regimental Centre, Corps of Engineer Services
Brigadier (Admin and Quartering) - Security Forces Headquarters (Jaffna)
Director Engineer Services Army Headquarters
In recognition of his valour, and distinguished service, to the nation during three decades of war against terrorism, Brigadier Disna Edirisinghe was awarded the following medals:
East Humanitarian Operation Medal
North Humanitarian Operation Medal
Purna Bhumi Padakkama
North and East Operations Medal
50th Independence Anniversary Medal
75th Independence Anniversary Medal
Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal
Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
Sewabhimani Medal
Service Medal
Brigadier Disna Edirisinghe was a source of encouragement and inspiration to the officers and other ranks of the Sri Lanka Army. His absolute integrity and honesty were often admired by all his superiors and subordinates.
During his illustrious military career of 32 years, he had rendered his valuable service to the Sri Lanka Army and to the country with utmost dedication and commitment displaying exemplary qualities as an officer and a gentleman. The remarkable service that he rendered to the Corps of Engineer Services and the Sri Lanka Army will be remembered forever.
The last rites of Brigadier Disna Edirisinghe will be held at 1630 hours on27 December 2023 at Borella General Cemetery, with full military honours. The Commander of the Army and all Ranks join the family members to share their sorrow at this moment of grief.
Late Brigadier EADK Edirisinghe, though you have departed, your name and commendable service rendered to the Sri Lanka Army will always be remembered. Your noteworthy contribution towards the growth of the institution will be cherished by all that follow. Your name will forever remain as a true son of Mother Lanka.
