16th December 2020 12:02:44 Hours
The Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers (SLE) presented military honours and warm greetings to the newly-appointed Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers, Major General Kumara Peiris, the Additional Director, Project Management Unit of Defence Headquarters Complex Project, during a formal ceremony held on 15 December 2020 at the Regimental Headquarters SLE at Panagoda as he arrived at the premises as the 18th Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers.
He succeeded Major General Jagath Gunawardena, who retired from the Army after an illustrious service of nearly 36 years.
As the initial military formality, the new Colonel Commandant was warmly welcomed by Brigadier Mangala Mayadunna the Centre Commandant at the entrance to the Regimental Headquarters and invited him to receive the Guard Turnout salute before he was conducted to pay tribute to fallen War Heroes at the Regimental Monument.
A few minutes later, a ceremonial military parade, honoured the newly-appointed Colonel Commandant where he received the salute from the special dais. Then in the office, Major General Kumara Peiris placed his signature for an official document to symbolize the acceptance of his new office, amidst chanting of Seth Pirith by Maha Sanga. The day’s ceremony reached the culmination with his formal address to Officers at the Lieutenant General NKB Angammana Memorial auditorium and refreshments with All Ranks at the Utility building at the Regimental Headquarters.
Major General Kumara Peiris born on 03 February 1966, successfully completed his primary and secondary education at Kalutara Vidyalaya National School, he joined the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet in Intake SSC 7 on 01 October 1985 and successfully completed the basic military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyathalawa. After having attained prestigious commissioned rank of Second Lieutenant on 31 May 1986 and posted to the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers, he began his professional military career as a professional Sapper Officer. Major General Kumara Peiris is also Additional Director, Project Management Unit of Defence Headquarters Complex Project. During his thirty-five years of unblemished active service, he has held many Command, Instructional and Staff appointments in various capacities in operational and non-operational areas in the country.
