Maj Gen S R K Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc
Major General SRK Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV ndu psc was appointed as the 30th Commander Security Forces (Jaffna) on 12 June 2023. In addition to being the Commander of the Security Forces (Jaffna), he is also the Colonel of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Light Infantry. Prior to taking office as the 30th Commander of the Security Forces (Jaffna), he was serving as the Commander of the Security Forces (East).Major General SRK Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV ndu psc was appointed as the 30th Commander Security Forces (Jaffna) on 12 June 2023. In addition to being the Commander of the Security Forces (Jaffna), he is also the Colonel of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Light Infantry. Prior to taking office as the 30th Commander of the Security Forces (Jaffna), he was serving as the Commander of the Security Forces (East).
Major General Sujeewa Hettiarachchi, as a proud product of St. Aloysius College, Galle, excelled in athletics as a bright student and received accolades for the school. He joined the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army on 06 October 1988 as an Officer Cadet of the Intake – KDA 6 and underwent basic military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa. Upon successful completion of Officer Cadet training, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and posted to the Sri Lanka Light Infantry on 05 October 1990. After being steadily elevated to subsequent ranks in the Army over the years, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 02 August 2021.
During his 35 years of illustrious military career, he has held a number of significant command, staff and instructional appointments. His tenure of command comprises several distinguished command appointments including the Commander Security Forces (Jaffna), Commander Security Forces (East), General Officer Commanding 62 Infantry Division. Commander 521 Infantry Brigade, Commander 582 Infantry Brigade and Training Command – CIOJW, Army Training School.
Furthermore, he served in a number of Staff appointments including Colonel General Staff - Security Forces Headquarters (East), Colonel General Staff – General Staff Branch, General Staff Office I (Operations) - Security Forces (South/West), General Staff Officer II - 552 Infantry Brigade, General Staff Officer II (Operations/Training) - 55 Infantry Division, Staff Officer II – Directorate of Supply and Transport and Brigade Major - 552 Infantry Brigade.
Other than the aptitudes in Command and Staff aspects, he is one of the most competent, effective and adroit Officer Instructors produced by the Sri Lanka Army. He exhibited his passion in instructing as an Officer Instructor at Sri Lanka Military Academy - Diyatalawa, which train and develop the future Officers of the Sri Lanka Army. Major General Sujeewa Hettiarachchi, was handpicked to serve as the Senior Directing Staff at the prestigious National Defence College - Sri Lanka , which is the apex body for professional military learning in Sri Lanka.
As a battle-hardened Infantry Officer of the prestigious Sri Lanka Light Infantry, Major General Sujeewa Hettiarachchi performed a commendable role contributing to the eradication of terrorism from Sri Lanka while serving in all salient unit line appointments. During the peak of the final humanitarian operation, he commanded the 15th Sri Lanka Light Infantry, 7th Sri Lanka Light Infantry as the Second - in - Command, Officer Commanding 7th Sri Lanka Light Infantry in two occasions, Operation and Training Officer 7th Sri Lanka Light Infantry and as the Platoon Commander 4th Sri Lanka Light Infantry. In his early years of military career, he was handpicked as the Aide De Camp (ADC) to the Chief of Staff Retired Major General AMU Senaviratna RSP USP ndc.
Major General Sujeewa Hettiarachchi has attended many overseas courses, workshops and seminars of professional value, including Young Officers’ Course in Pakistan, Junior Command Course in Bangladesh, Senior Command Course in India, 3rd International Defence Officials Training Course in the National Defence Academy of Vietnam, Advanced Diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies Course in National Defence University PLA China, National Security and War Studies (ndu) – National Defence University, China and Comprehensive Security Response to Terrorism (CSRT) course in Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies - Hawaii.
The local training courses attended by the Senior Officer include the Battalion Support Weapon Course at Infantry Training Centre - Minneriya, Para Course at Commando Regiment Training School (CRTS) and qualified in Passed Staff College (psc) - Army Command and Staff College, Sri Lanka.
In addition to his military qualifications, Major General Sujeewa Hettiarachchi holds Master’s Degree in MS & SS from National Defence University, China. He has also obtained Bachelor of Arts in Defence Studies from General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
Major General Sujeewa Hettiarachchi has been adorned with gallantry awards of Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) in recognition of his bravery and eminent service on the battlefield. He has been awarded with prestigious Vishista Sewa Vibushanaya (VSV) and Uththama Seva Padakkama (USP) for long exemplary conduct, unblemished service and character in the Sri Lanka Army.
Major General Sujeewa Hettiarachchi was handpicked to serve in overseas missions. Accordingly, he was the Officer Commanding of first United Nations Peacekeeping Operations (UNPKO) Battalion deployed in Haiti (2004) and served as the Staff Officer of United Nations Mission in Haiti (2010). He was conferred with the International decoration of United Nations Medal for exemplary service rendered in Haiti.
In recognition of the unfailing support, dedicated courage and commitment being given for fostering of the 'Sasana' and the country, the Sri Lanka Amarapura Mulavanshika Maha Nikaya conferred the honorary patriotic title, 'Sri Rohana Janaranjana Deshamanya' on Major General Sujeewa Hettiarachchi and Dimbulagala Buddhist Association in recognition of dedicated services he has been conferred the honorary title, 'Janajaya Sadana Samaggha Sri Deshabandu’.
Major General Sujeewa Hettiarachchi is married to Mrs Uthpala Hettiarchchi and blessed with a daughter and a son.