04th July 2021 17:06:16 Hours
The Sixteenth Colonel of the Regiment Major General A K G K U Gnanaratne ndc psc assumed duties on 29 June 2021 in a simple ceremony held according to the Covid 19 prevention health protocols at the Commando Base Camp at Ganemulla with the participation of a few Senior Officers that joined to mark this official event of the Regiment.
Major General Krishantha Gnanaratne is a proud Kingswoodian. He joined the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet of Intake 29 in February 1988 and commissioned to the Commando Regiment on his own wish, in December 1989 to serve the Nation in the face of the insurgency.
He is also an Alumni of prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurts (RMAS) in the United Kingdom, the first Commando Officer to train in RMAS.
During his professional military career just over 33 years, he has held a variety of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments at different capacities.
At times, he functioned as the Chief Instructor (CI) - Commando Regiment Training School (CRTS) Kudaoya, CI - Officer Career Development Centre -Buttala and Deputy Commandant - Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) Diyatalawa. He did participate in a variety of Special and Counter Terrorism Operations islandwide.
He commanded the First Commando Regiment on active operational role in the North and East, later the 4 Commando Regiment engaged in Special Operations.
He also commanded 523 Infantry Brigade under 52 Division in Jaffna; later the Commando Brigade in 2018 and holding the office of the Commandant SLMA at prsent, the premier training pedestal of the Sri Lanka Army.
Major General Gnanaratne has gained a wealth of experience attending various military and non - military events locally and overseas. He was a Blue Beret Officer, work for Global Peace along with the United Nations during his illustrious military career.
We the Commandos both serving and all times are gathered together with him to walk the Glorious Way forward as the ‘‘Sons of the Brave’’ proving the motto ‘‘Nothing Impossible’’.
