MAJOR GENERAL SHANAKA RATHNAYAKA ASSUMED DUTIES AS THE 14th COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT OF THE COMMANDO REGIMENT

The fourteenth (14) Colonel of the Regiment Major General P G P S Rathnayaka RWP RSP ndc assumed duties on 22 Dec 2022 in a brief ceremony held at the Regimental Centre Commando Regiment at Ganemulla with the participation of serving Commando and senior officers of the Army, Commando War Veterans and ORs of the Commando Regiment.

Major General Shanaka Rathnayaka is a proud product of St Thomas College-Mathale. He joined the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet to the Intake 32 on 14 July 1989 and was commissioned to the Commando Regiment on 19 January 1991 to serve the Nation.

During his illustrious military career spanning over 33 years, he has held a variety of appointments in different capacities.

He started his career in the Commando family in the 1 Commando Regiment and thereafter he was posted to the 2 Commando Regiment and held an appointment as Group Commander, Officer Commanding – Admin Group, and later as Personal Security Officer (PSO) to the 4th Executive President, Group Commander-LRRP Group, Officer Commanding –Support and Special Reconnaissance Group, Operations and Training Officer and Personal Security Officer to the 5th Executive President,.

Moreover, Major General Shanaka Rathnayaka has held many Command and Staff appointments in the Army as the Colonel General Staff of 24 Infantry Division, Brigade Commander of 592 Infantry Brigade, Brigade Commander of 623 Infantry Brigade, and at last as a Brigade Commander of Commando Brigade

Major General Shanaka Rathnaykaa is a battle harden Commando officer and he has been awarded Rana Wickrama Padakkama and Rana Sura Padakkama for his brave action on the battlefield.

The events included in the progeamme were Guard Turnout, Guard of Honour, Group Photograph (Photographs with serving commando Officers, Retired Commando Officers, and Officers of Intake 32), Floral Tribute at War Memorial, and Troops Address.

Commandos both serving and at all times are gathered together with him to walk the Glorious Way Forward as the ‘‘Sons of the Brave’’ proving the motto ‘‘Nothing Impossible’’.