Major General W P Kariyawasam
Genaral Officer Commanding
23 Infantry Division
Major General W P Kariyawasam is the General Officer Commanding of the 23 Infantry Division. He was born in Kandy and is a proud product of Kingswood Collage, Kandy. He began his military journey by joining the Sri Lanka Army on 07 September 1990 to the Intake PMA 2 at the Sri Lanka Military Academy - Diyatalawa and Subsequently the intake was send to the Pakistam Military Academy for further training. Upon successfully completing his basic military training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant to the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps on 13 March 1991.
Throughout his distinguished military career, Major General Priyantha Kariyawasam has held various field appointments within the Regiment, showcasing his dedication and leadership skills. Notably, he has been recognized for his bravery and exceptional service.
Major General Priyantha Kariyawasam is a recognized Senior Officer in the Army who has served in various command, staff and instructor appointments during his illustrious military career:
- Troop Leader - 3 Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- Platoon Commander - Armoured Corps Training Center
- Troop Leader – 1st Recce Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- Squadron second In command - 1st Recce Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- Assistant Adjutant - 1st Recce Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- Adjutant - 6th (RFT) Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- Technical Adjutant - 6th (RFT) Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- Officer Command -Technical Training School, Armoured Corps Training Center
- Officer Command B, and HQ Squadron - 5 Recce Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- Second in Command - 8th (RFT) Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- Overlooking Commanding Officer - 8 (RFT) Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- General Staff Officer 1 (Coord) - 57 Infantry Division
- Staff Officer 1 (A) - Regimental Centre Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- Commanding Officer - 9th (RFT) Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- Commanding Officer - 1st Recce Regiment Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- Senior Security Coordinator - Army Headquarter
- Staff Officer 1 - Armoured Brigade
- Staff Officer 1 - Office of the National Rifle Association.
- Commandant - Armoured Corps Training Center
- Colonel Media - Directorate of Media, Army Headquarter
- Commander - 221 Infantry Brigade
- Centre Commandant - Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- Commander - Armoured Brigade
- Commandant - Marksmanship and Sniper Training School, Diyathalawa
In his long tour of duty, he has followed number of training courses in both local and overseas are as follows:
- Basic Marksmanship Course
- Officer Per Excellence Course
- Officer Physical Training Course - Bangladesh
- Young Officer Basic Course - Pakistan
- BTR 80/80A Training - Russia
- Auto Instructor Officers Course - India
- Junior Staff link with Mid-Career Course - Pakistan
- United Nation Peace Keeping Operations Contingent Commander Course - Bangladesh
- Combat Group Commander Course 23 - India
