NEW DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF OF THE ARMY ASSUMED DUTIES
Major General EMM Ambanpola USP, new Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army assumed duties on Monday, 02 June 2014 during a simple ceremony at his office at the Army Headquarters.
A brief religious ceremony, headed by Ven Dodangoda Assaji Thero invoked blessings on Major General Mahinda Ambanpola and his office soon after he lit the traditional oil lamp upon his arrival at the office.
Afterwards, Major General Mahinda Ambanpola symbolically signed the first formal document and received greetings from senior officers who were present at the occasion.
Major General Mahinda Ambanpola serves as the Director General (Projects) and the Colonel Commandant - Corps of Engineer Services in addition to his present appointment as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the SL Army. He also holds the honorary appointment of President - Sri Lanka Army Buddhist Association.
Major General Mahinda Ambanpola, a proud product of St. Sylvester\'s College, Kandy and was a Deputy Head Prefect of the College. As a former Band Leader he won all Island Best Band Leader Award for two consecutive years. During his school days he was a talented athlete, cadet, scout and an active member of many clubs and societies and a Leader of the Saukyadana Society.
He successfully completed the secondary education in 1979 and joined the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army on 06 February 1980 as an Officer Cadet. On successful completion of training at Sri Lanka Military Academy Diyatalawa, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 18 July 1981 and posted to Sri Lanka Army Corps of Engineer Services which is one of the prestigious Service Units in the Sri Lanka Army.
He obtained the National Diploma in Technology in the field of Civil Engineering from the University of Moratuwa. The military professional courses he had followed during his military career include Supplies Administration Course, Senior Tactics and Company Commanders\' course, Engineer Officer Works Procedure Course in India, Senior Officers Management Course in Pakistan, United Nations Standardized Training Modules Seminar For Specialists Military, Civilian and Police Officers Conducted in Budapest Hungary , Pacific Area Senior Officers\' Logistics Seminar in Vancouver Canada. Certificate Course in Human Resource Management Conducted by Institute of Personal Management Sri Lanka, General Course on Diplomacy and International Relations conducted by Bandaranaike International Training Institute.
In his long and illustrious military career spanning over 34 years, Maj Gen Ambanpola, had gathered an array of military experience in diverse scopes whilst holding a number of key operational and staff appointments at various establishments in the Sri Lanka Army, prior to taking over the command of the Sri Lanka Army Corps of Engineer Services as the Colonel Commandant , he has held number of senior key appointments such as the Commanding Officer - 2nd Engineer Services Regiment, Colonel (Admin and Quartering ) - Headquarters 55 Division, Colonel (Admin and Quartering) - Headquarters Logistics Command, Colonel (Admin and Quartering) - Defence Services Command and Staff College, Centre Commandant -Corps of Engineer Services , Brigadier (Admin and Quartering)- Security Forces Headquarters (J), Director Additional Welfare, Director Welfare, Director Engineer Services, Brigadier (Admin and Quartering)-Security Forces Headquarters (East), Commander- Forward Maintenance Area (East).
He has contributed to execution of majority of National Level Mega Construction Projects carried out by the Engineer Services Regiments as the Director General (Projects), the Colonel Commandant Corps of Engineer Services and former Director Engineer Services. He has also served in the capacity of Additional Director General - Urban Development Authority.
Maj Gen Mahinda Ambanpola has contributed to the promotion of Kabaddi Game as a former Secretary of Sri Lanka Kabaddi Federation, Regional Vice President of Asian Amateur Kabaddi Federation and the President of Sri Lanka Army Kabbadi Federation. He also represented the Regimental Chess team and the Firing Team as a member in 1985 and 1986.
In recognition of his dedication, unblemished service and loyalty to the Organization, he has been awarded Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP), and several other service medals including East Humanitarian Operation Medal, North Humanitarian Operation Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, North and East Operations Medal, Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Services Medal.
Maj Gen Mahinda Ambanpola is married to Mrs Shirani Ambanpola and blessed with three sons Waruna , Nipuna and Ovina.
