MAJOR GENERAL WIJETHILLEKE BIDS FAREWELL AMIDST FULL MILITARY HONOURS
Major General K. Jagath Wijethilleke RWP USP ndc psc, Commissioner General of Rehabilitation whose ‘life became the Army or vice versa’ during his distinguished career spanning more than 34 years, bade farewell to the Nation in a military funeral Tuesday (7) evening, amidst a mammoth gathering of his military comrades and other mourners at the General Cemetery, Borella.\r\nMr B.M.U.D Basnayake, Secretary Defence, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army, Retired Senior Officers, Principal Staff Officers, Senior Officers, Directors and a host of his contemporaries, schoolmates and relatives were there to salute him as the dusk fell. \r\nTroops in accordance with military traditions received the remains, presenting arms around Narahenpita junction before being taken in the gun carriage. As the funeral procession reached the main entrance of the cemetery, a representative gathering of senior officers formally, received the coffin. \r\nLate Major General Wijethilleke’s coffin draped in the National flag afterwards began to inch its way towards the crematorium as all gathered at the main entrance, lined up behind the coffin.\r\nThe funeral proceedings began with the reading of the special condolence message sent by HE the President Maithripala Sirisena, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, in which the President paid a special tribute to the memory of Major General Wijethilleke. \r\nThe formal Special Part I Order, issued by the Commander of the Army was then read out to the military mourners as the occasion turned solemn. The troops in conformity with military traditions then saluted him presenting symbolic gun salute, the highest tribute a military officer, could get in the event of his demise. \r\nMinutes after the Last Post, the bugle call that sounded, indicating that the great soldier has gone to his final rest, the remains were taken to the crematorium as everyone stood in respect. Second after that, Lieutenant General Crishanthe De Silva, Commander of the Army presented the bereaved family with the decorations and medals Major General Wijethilleke earned. \r\nThe military funeral of late Major General Wijethilleke was meticulously organized under the direct supervision of Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe, Adjutant General and with the coordination of Major General Channa Goonetilleke, Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Engineers. \r\nThe vote of thanks was proposed by the elder son of late Major General Wijethilleke. Senior Navy and Air Force officers, Senior Police officers, old Anandians, members of the Ananda Old Boys Association, relatives and a large group of mourners were present at the funeral. \r\nBorn in Ambalangoda in 1962, he received his education at Colombo Ananda College as a brilliant student while proving himself to be an outstanding cricketer in the college. Enlisted to the Army on 31 August 1981 as an Officer Cadet in the Short Service Commission 3A Intake, he received his initial military training at the Diyatalawa Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) to be commissioned as a 2 Lieutenant to the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE). \r\nThrough his tireless commitment and dedication to the service of his motherland, he subsequently rose to the rank of Lieutenant (1983), Captain (1986), Major (1995), Lieutenant Colonel (1997), Colonel (2004), Brigadier (2006) and Major General on 01 October 2012. \r\nSome of the distinguished and important appointments he held during his career are as follows; \r\n\r\nA Troop and a Squadron Commander of Field Engineer Regiment, The Adjutant of 1 Field Engineer Regiment, Officer Instructor – Sri Lanka Military Academy, General Staff Officer II (Operations) – 21 Brigade, Staff Officer II – Directorate of Engineer Services / Engineer Brigade, General Staff Officer II – Directorate of Operations, General Staff Officer II - Directorate of Staff Duties, Officer Instructor – Tactics Wing, Army Training School, General Staff Officer I (Operations) – Task Force 2, General Staff Officer I (Operations) – 53 Division, Commanding Officer of 8 Field Engineer Regiment, Directing Staff, Army Command and Staff College, Officiating Brigade Commander, 516 Brigade, Colonel Military Secretariat, Military Secretary\'s Branch, Army Head Quarters, Director Recruiting, Army Head Quarters, Commander, Area Headquarters (GALLE), Brigadier Coordinating, Defence Services Command and Staff College, Commander, Engineer Brigade, Chief Instructor, Defence Services Command and Staff College, Officiating General Officer Commanding, 64 Division, General Officer Commanding 68 Division and Director General Rehabilitation – Bureau of the Commissioner General Rehabilitation. \r\nDuring his career of 34 years, he was able to attend several courses of studies in foreign countries, including Pakistan, India, Singapore and Bangladesh. His graduation from College of Military Engineering and Army Command and Staff College Pakistan, Senior Command Course India and National Defence College Bangladesh. \r\nMany medals were awarded to him in recognition his dedication, commitment, efficiency and loyalty during his service including the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) for his bravery in the battlefield. \r\nSome of those medals are as follows; Uttama Seva Padakkama, East Humanitarian Operation Medal, North Humanitarian Operation Medal, Poornabhumi Padakkama, North and East Operational Medal, Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal and Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal.\r\nDuring his military career, he contributed immensely to the betterment of the Army and won the admiration of both his superiors and subordinates. He, who was always held in high esteem among his peers and colleagues for his absolute integrity and honesty, was a source of encouragement and inspiration to Officers and Other Ranks of the Army. He leaves behind his wife, Anusha and two sons, Raveen and Vinod.\r\n
