FAREWELL TO THE BRAVE GENERAL COLONEL WMR WIJESUNDARA (RETD) RWP, RSP, AND PSC

Wijesundara Mudyanselage Ranjith Wijesundara was born on March 15, 1957, into a respectable family in Colombo. The young Wijesundara, who left school, joined the Sri Lanka Army under Course No. 10 as an apprentice cadet officer on July 3, 1978, with the aim of serving the native land. On 23 January 1980, he joined the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment as a Second Lieutenant after successfully completing his basic military training at Diyathalawa Military Academy. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on July 23, 1981, to the rank of captain on July 23, 1984, to the rank of major on July 23, 1987, and on December 16, 1993, he became the first pilot in command of the 10th SLLI Battalion. This fortunate senior officer was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 01 January 1994 and later to the rank of Colonel on 06 June 1997 due to his outstanding leadership on duty.

These senior officers have attended many local and foreign courses; in India, Commando Officer Course, Junior Officer Course, Battalion Support Weapons Course, Junior Commandant Course, Defense Service Command and Staff Officer Course and Unit Commander Course in Pakistan. Can. He has served as a senior advisor and staff officer in various parts of the island, and has served as Officer Advisor - Army Academy, Second Commanding Officer - 3 SLLI Battalion, Senior Advisor - Army Academy, K.N. Commanding Officer - 8 SLLI Battalion, K.N. Center Commandant - Regimental Center SLLI, K.N. Colonel GS - 3rd Task Force, K.N. Brigade Commander - 514 Brigade, 546 Brigade and 224 Brigade, K.N. Contributed to the Army as Director - Directorate of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law and on retirement served as Colonel Commandant of the Directorate of Army Personnel Administration.

He has made an active contribution to all the operations launched by the army for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Sri Lanka. Awarded the RWP, RSP, Poornaboomy North East Operation Medal, Wadamarachchci Operation Medal, Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, Army 50th Anniversary Medal, Armed Services Long Service Medal.

This senior officer who retired from the army on 01 February 2002 after completing 23 years of distinguished service in the army passed away forever on 14.11.2023 due to illness. Late Colonel WMR Wijesundara (Retd) RWP RSP PSC Senior Officer was cremated on 16.11.2023 with military honors at Borella Public Cemetery. The funeral ceremony was carried out proudly with the participation of retired army commanders, senior officers and senior officers who are currently serving in the army. Who has left us forever? We always remember you at sunrise and sunset...