BIOGRAPHY

Major General Dinesh Udugama RWP RSP USP ndc psc, an eminent senior officer of the Gajaba Regiment that dominates the saga of unmatched bravery and heroism operating under the motto of “Unity is Strength” as a bonded family of infantrymen of the Sri Lanka Army was born in Kandy. He is a proud product of St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy. During his young age, having excelled as a boxer in the school, he won all the gold medals in every boxing meet in which he took part claiming to be the school’s unbeaten boxer from 1983 to 1990. Furthermore, in his school life, he represented the Sri Lankan Boxing team and won a gold medal becoming the best overseas boxer in the meet held in Sweden.

Major General Dinesh Udugama joined the Sri Lanka Army on 14th July 1990 as an Officer Cadet of the intake 34 and completed his basic military training at the prestigious Sri Lanka Military Academy Diyatalawa. After commissioning on 06th June 1992, he was posted to the 1st Gajaba Regiment as a Second Lieutenant and served in the 1st, 6th and 3rd Gajaba Regiments respectively. In an outstanding tour of duty performed with fearless determination and resolute integrity, counting over 34 years of unblemished distinguished service to the nation, he was promoted to the rank of ‘Major General’ on 19th August 2023. Besides, he is an officer of great character and wonderful temperament who enjoys a splendid reputation for his perseverance, honesty and fidelity in the Army.

During the journey of his illustrious military career he has held numerous distinguished command appointments including the Commanding Officer of 3rd Gajaba Regiment, He has commanded the two brigades of Army commander’s reserve strike force namely 532 Infantry Brigade and Air Mobile Brigade. Moreover, he has commanded the 59 Infantry Division as General Officer Commanding.

Furthermore, he had several staff positions in field formations, such as, General Staff Officer 2 (Ops/Trg) Security Forces Headquarters (East), General Staff Officer 1 (Operations)- Security Forces Headquarters (Jaffna), Colonel General Staff- Headquarters 52 Infantry Division. Similarly, he has served five tenuous in Army Headquarters in appointments such as General Staff Officer (11) in UN Cell -Directorate of Training, Staff Officer (11) in Carrier Progression Cell - Military Secretariat Branch, Staff Officer 1 (Grade 2/3 Cell) -Military Secretariat Branch, Colonel General Staff in Directorate of Operations, Director to Directorate of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law (HR & HL).

In addition, he served in several instructional appointments including CO Training Wing, Infantry Training Centre where he progressed towards performing overlooking duties of Commandant Infantry Training Centre Minneriya. Subsequently, he was the 4th Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army War College, Buttala where he succeeded in promoting the image of the Army War College Additionally, he has held the appointments of Deputy Center Commandant and commandant appointment of esteemed Gajaba Regiment.

Moreover, Major General Dinesh Udugama was the Colonel General Staff to the Exercise Cormorant Strike and he was the Director to the Exercise ‘Mitra Shakti X’ which was conducted at Army Training School Maduruoya that helped to strengthen the bonds of goodwill and cooperation between the Sri Lanka Army and the Indian Army.Apart from that, Major General Dinesh Udugama has employed a range of peacekeeping missions, including UN military observer in Congo and Contingent commander UN Mission - Force Protection Unit in Lebanon (UNFIL).

He has followed several local courses starting with the Officer Cadet Course -34 at Sri Lanka Military Academy, Young Offr Course at Army Training School - Maduru Oya, Intelligen Officer Course- Military Intelligent Corps , Human Rights and Humanitarian Law Basic Course, Company Commander Course- 53 Infantry Division, Parachute Course - Ganemulla, Pass Staff College Course at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) .Major General Dinesh Udugama has followed several overseas courses commencing with, Young Officer Course in India, Regiment Signal Offr Course in India (RSO-180), UN Milobs & Civpols Course - Iran, and Junior Command Course- India and National Defense Course in India and Disaster Management and Rescue operation course at Australia too.

He has been decorated with a total 18 medals including, Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP), twice and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) thrice in recognition of his bravery and eminent service on the battlefield. Major General Dinesh Udugama has received Utthama Seva Padakkama (USP) in admiration of the unblemished service rendered

Major General U.K.D.D.P Udugama RWP RSP USP ndc psc is presently serving as the 31st General Officer Commanding of the 22 Infantry Division, Trincomalee. He is married to Udari Anupama Gamage and blessed with a son and a daughter.