DEMISE OF COLONEL J N WICKRAMAARACHCHI (RTD) USP

It is with deep regret and profound sadness that pronounce the demise of Colonel J N Wickramaarachchi (RTD) USP, on 18 July 2018.

Jinendra Natha Wickramaarachchi was born on 09 December 1955 as the third child to a respectable family in Colombo. Master Jinendra Natha Wickramaarachchi had his education from Kotahena Madya Maha Vidyalaya, Colombo and excelled in both academics and sports. He proved himself as an outstanding character by representing the school’s sports team and the Cadet Platoon.

At the conclusion of his school education after the Advanced Level, young Jinendra Natha Wickramaarachchi joined the prestigious Sri Lanka Army on 23 May 1977 as an Other Rank Radio Technician with the Direct Enlisted Army Batch No 7. Afterward, he received his basic military training from the Army Training Centre, Diyatalawa and after the successful completion of his basic military training, he was posted to the Sri Lanka Signal Corps. His absolute dedication, commitment and competence were recognized by the Sri Lanka Signal Corps and promoted him to the rank of Lance Corporal on 1 October 1979, to the rank of Corporal on 20 December 1981, to the rank of Sergeant on 20 April 1985, and to the rank of Warrant Officer I on 17 March 1986 respectively.

Considering his all-round, yet, exceptional performance shown as an Other Rank, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant on 20 September 1986. Since then he outshined in all the duties and responsibilities as an exemplary Military Officer while receiving timely promotions in the rank of Lieutenant on 20 March 1988, rank of Captain on 20 March 1990, rank of Major on 21 March 1994, rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 21 March 2003, and to the rank of Colonel on 16 April 2008.

Colonel J N Wickramaarachchi, served the Sri Lanka Signal Corps as well as the Sri Lanka Army in numerous Command and Staff appointments in different theatres of the country, displaying a high degree of professionalism and utmost commitment in discharging all the duties and responsibilities entrusted upon him. Some of the key appointments that he held during his long and glorious career are:

Troop Officer, Signal Base Workshop – Panagoda
Officer Commanding, “C” Troop – 1st Regiment Sri Lanka Signal Corps
Staff Officer III (Logistic), Coordinating Headquarters – Welioya
Officer Commanding, “S” Troop – 1st Regiment Sri Lanka Signal Corps
Officer Commanding, Signal Squadron, Task Force I – Jaffna
Officer Commanding, Communication Squadron – Jaffna
Second in Command, 4th Regiment Sri Lanka Signal Corps – Jaffna
Commanding Officer, 4th Regiment Sri Lanka Signal Corps – Jaffna
Officer Commanding, Signal Base Workshop – Panagoda
Commandant, Signal Base Workshop – Panagoda
Staff Officer I (Administration/Quartering), Headquarters 22 Division – Trincomalee
Electronic Warfare Coordinator, Signal Brigade – Panagoda
Colonel (Communication and Electronic Warfare) – Security Force Headquarters (EAST) - Welikanda
Colonel (Coordinator), Headquarters Chief Signal Officer – Panagoda
Colonel (General Staff) – Headquarters Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force

Colonel J N Wickramaarachchi had followed a number of local and overseas courses in different stages of his career in which he attained outstanding grading in some courses. A few of the foreign courses he had followed were:

Fixed Station Radio Repairer Course, United State Army Signal Centre and Fort Gordon – Georgia
Signals Young Officers’ Course – India
Signals Midcareer Course – Pakistan
Unit Command Course – Pakistan
FE TEX – 640 I & M Training Course – Hong Kong
NEAX 2400 IMS and NEAX 12SA Business Course - Japan

Colonel J N Wickramaarachchi had been an outstanding sportsman as well. This outstanding sportsman also represented the Corps of Signals in many sports including Rugby, Elle, Billiard and Snooker.

In recognition of his unblemished and distinguished service rendered to the Army, Colonel JN Wickramaarachchi was awarded the following medals:

Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP)
East Humanitarian Operation Medal
North Humanitarian Operation Medal
Purna Bhumi Padakkama
North & East Operation Medal
Vadamarachchi Operation Medal
Riviresa Campaign Service Medal
50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal
Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal
The Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal and Clasp
The President’s Inauguration Medal

During his illustrious military career that expanded for more than 33 years, he served the Army and the country with greatest determination displaying exemplary qualities as an Officer and a Gentleman, and retired from the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army on 09 December 2010.

The last rites of Colonel J N Wickramaarachchi were held at 1600 hours on 20 July 2018 at the General Cemetery, Borella with full military honors, with the participation of 500 troops from all regiments in the Army.

The Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Signal Corps and Military Secretary of the Sri Lanka Army Major General Ajith Wijesinghe, Chief Signal Officer Major General Nilantha Hettiarachchi, Director General of the Army Research Analysis Projections and Development Branch Mejor General Renuka Rowel, many senior officers, officers and Other Ranks of Sri Lanka Signal Corps as well as Director Personnel Administration of Sri Lanka Army Brigadier Devendra Perera together with representative senior officers from all arms joined the family members to share their sorrow at this moment of their greatest grief.

The efficient service, an inspiring leadership and the affectionate comradeship rendered to the Sri Lanka Signal Corps and to the Army by late Colonel J N Wickramaarachchi USP will be remembered forever.

“May Late Colonel J N Wickramaarachchi (Rtd) USP attain Supreme Bliss of Nibbana”