MILITARY HONOURS SALUTE LATE MAJOR GENERAL D S K WIJESOORIYA (RETD) DURING HIS FINAL JOURNEY

The military funeral of Major General D S K Wijesooriya (Retd) RWP RSP USP psc who had served the country for more than 33 years, took place on 21 February 2024 at Borella General Cemetery, amid a mammoth gathering of his military comrades and other mourners.

The Commander Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force and the Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers Major General M K Jayawardena RSP VSV USP ndu, Retired and Serving Senior Officers of the Sri Lanka Army and other mourners were also there to salute the late Senior Officer as the dusk fell.

With firm determination to render his bidding to the motherland at the critical time of need, he enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army on 26 April 1971. During his eminent military career, he had held numerous Command and Staff appointments in different capacities, whilst displaying a high degree of professionalism and utmost commitments by holding one of esteemed appointment, Director General General Staff of the Sri Lanka Army before his retirement.

Throughout his distinguished service, Major General D S K Wijesooriya (Retd) RWP RSP USP psc received numerous accolades including Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Rana Sura Padakkama, Uttama Seva Padakkama, Desha Puthra Sammanaya, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, North and East Operation Medal, Rivirasa Campaign Service Medal, Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Service Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Service Long Service Medal and President’s Inauguration Medal.

Troops in accordance with military traditions received the remains, presenting arms near the entrance to the cemetery before being placed in the gun carriage and draped it in the National flag. As the funeral procession reached the main entrance to the cemetery, a representative gathering of senior officers formally, received the coffin and began to inch their way towards the crematorium after all of them together with family members lined up behind the coffin.

The formal Special Part I Order was then read out to the mourners as the occasion turned solemn. Troops in conformity with military traditions, then saluted the deceased, presenting a symbolic gun salute, the highest tribute a military officer could get in the event of his demise.

Minutes after the Last Post, the bugle call that sounded, indicating that the great soldier had now gone to his final rest, the remains were taken to the crematorium.

Seconds after that, Major General M K Jayawardena RSP VSV USP ndu presented the bereaved family with decorations and medals Major General D S K Wijesooriya (Retd) RWP RSP USP psc had earned during his illustrious career.