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The Gemunu Watch

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15th October 2018 12:04:27 Hours

ASSUMING OF DUTIES BY THE 24TH COLONEL OF THE REGIMENT OF THE GEMUNU WATCH

The General Officer Commanding of 22 Infantry Division, Major General KPA Jayasekera WWV RSP USP ndc psc assumed duties as the 24th Colonel of the Regiment of the Gemunu Watch on 06 October 2018 at the office of the Regimental Centre, The Gemunu Watch Kuruwita.

The day’s programme was unfolded in accordance with military traditions, Major General KPA Jayasekera WWV RSP USP ndc psc received the Guard Turnout at the entrance of the regimental centre and he was welcomed by the Centre Commandant the Gemunu Watch. Thereafter the Ceremonial Parade, presented by Gemunu Watch troops was taken place and reviewed by the incoming Colonel of the Regiment, Major General KPA Jayasekera WWV RSP USP ndc psc at the parade square. He was accompanied by the Parade Commander together with Centre Commandant as per the military traditions.

Then, the planting of sapling was held at the lakeside to mark this memorable event and the taking over of duties was taken place at the office on an auspicious time with religious blessings. The new Colonel of the Regiment was accompanied to the traditional custom of floral tribute for fallen war heroes at the monument with the participation of all Senior Officers of the Gemunu Watch followed by an All Ranks Tea organized at the poolside of the regimental centre. The Troops Address by the Colonel of the Regiment was held at the main auditorium and his speech was mainly focused on Discipline and Conduct.

Major General Aruna Jayasekera was born on 19 October 1964 and hailed from a great province UVA and completed his primary education from UVA College Badulla and from Badulla Central College. He was enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army Regular Force on 21 March 1985 and was commissioned to one of the most prestigious Infantry Battalions of the Sri Lanka Army, the 1st Battalion the Gemunu Watch after successful completion of his basic Cadet Training at Sri Lanka Military Academy. Subsequently, he was posted to 4th Battalion the Gemunu Watch and held the appointments of Platoon Commander, Mechanical Transport Officer, Adjutant, Company Commander and Second in Command in unit lines and commanded the 4th Battalion the Gemunu Watch of Sri Lanka Army during the peak of counter insurgency operations held in the country.

He has held many Command, staff and Instructor appointments in Formations and Army Headquarters. Some of the key appointments are;

  • GSO 1 (Coord) Dte of Ops

  • Chief Instructor - SLMA

  • Col GS 53 Div

  • 2nd in Command of the 3rd Sri Lankan UNPK Contingent in Haiti

  • Commander of reserve brigade – SF (J)

  • Directing Staff- DSCSC

  • Commander 212 Brigade

  • Director Operations – AHQ

  • Commander OCC

  • General Officer Commanding -68 Infantry Division

  • Commandant – OCDC

  • Director general Training – AHQ

  • General Officer Commanding (overlooking) – 14 Infantry Division

  • General Officer Commanding - 22 Infantry Division

Further, Major General Aruna Jayasekera has followed many training courses both local and abroad in his military career. He was graduated from Army Command and Staff Collage and Defence Services Staff Course, Wellington, India.

He was awarded with second highest gallantry award in Sri Lanka Army, Weera Wicrama Wibushanaya(WWV) and Rana Soora Padakkama(RSP) for three times for his bravery action during counter insurgency operations and decorated with many other medals including Uttama Seva Padakkama(USP), Videsa Sewa Padakkama, and Desha Puthra Sammanaya.

He was the pioneer of conceptualizing the first Multi National Field Training Ex Cormorant Strike 1 and 2 and had been the director of special operation command. He had been the Ex Director for the 3rd time in year 2017 in Ex Cormorant Strike.

Major General Aruna Jayasekera is a proud father of daughter Rukshi and His wife, Mrs Sujeewa Jayasekera is a teacher in Gateway International College, Colombo. He is a talented sportsman whom had contributed much in Sri Lanka Army Tennis and the Chairman of Army Tennis Committee and achieved many medals and Awards and also a recipient of Regimental colours. Major General Jayasekera's hobbies include badminton, cricket, football, swimming, music and dancing.

The Colonel of the Regiment’s beloved Mother, wife Mrs. Sujeewa Jayasekera, the President of the Gemunu Watch Seva Vanitha Branch, family members, the Council Members and Senior Officers, Staff Officers at the Regimental Centre and Other Ranks of the Gemunu Watch were participated in extending their well wishes to the new Colonel of the Regiment of the Gemunu Watch.

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