Commandant

Major General K V N P Premaratne RSP USP nps psc, an illustrious military officer who possesses wealth of over 35 years of distinguished service, assumed duties as the 61 st successor in the office of the Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) on 27 June 2025. Concurrently, he has been performing duties as the Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Artillery.

Major General Nilantha Premaratne is a battle-hardened officer who groomed by the Sri Lanka Artillery, and he exemplified a charismatic role of leadership for safeguarding the solemn decorum of the Sri Lanka Army at every phase of his military career.

The journey filled with twists and turns that led to shaping a military leader was intensively inspired by the beacon of his beloved Alma Mater: St. Servatius' College in Matara where he received his primary and secondary education. During his schooling, he excelled both in academics and extracurricular activities foreshadowing a personality of a future leader.

The senior officer enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army on 14 July 1990 under the Cadet Intake 34. He is an alumnus of the Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa. Upon completion of the basic military training; he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and was posted to the Sri Lanka Artillery which is an elite regiment that upholds values of honour and glory in all its endeavours and reflects the catchphrase of "Everywhere that Right and Glory Lead".

In the course of his military career, Major General Nilantha Premaratne performed a precise errand in Command, Staff, and Instructional appointments.

Showcasing his versatility, the senior officer served not only as a gunner but also demonstrated his capacity in the role of an infantryman as a Platoon Commander of the 6th Battalion the Gajaba Regiment and the 1st Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. Thereupon, the senior officer received the opportunity to serve as the Officer Instructor, the Chief Instructor and as the Commanding Officer at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa: the utmost training establishment in the Sri Lanka Army during his career ladder.

Demonstrating exceptional leadership and operational acumen, he has served in a wide array of pivotal appointments include, Battery Commander of the 6th Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment, Officer Instructor at the Officer Career Development Centre in Diyatalawa, Brigade Major of the 211 Infantry Division , Second-in-command of the 16th (Reinforcement) Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment, Staff Officer 1 (Operational ) at the Directorate of Operations , Military Assistant to the Commander of the Army and the Chief of Defence Staff, Commanding Officer of the 16th (Reinforcement) Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment , Brigade Commander of the 551 Infantry Brigade, Director of the Directorate of Media (Army Media Spokesperson), Brigadier General Staff at the Security Forces Headquarters (West), Commander of the 23 Infantry Division, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff, Commander at the Security Forces Headquarters (East), Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps and Adjutant General at the Army Headquarters.

The senior officer has rendered overseas service as an Observer attached to the United Nations Mission in Western Sahara, supporting the peacekeeping operations in the region.

To the credit of his professional enhancement, the senior officer has pursued local and international training programmes, such as Young Officers’ Artillery Course in India, Advanced Artillery Training Course in Pakistan, Battalion Commanders’ Course in China, Command and Staff Officers’ Course at Batalanda.

In addition to his extensive service portfolio, the senior officer has followed professional military education and academic advancement both locally and internationally. The senior officer participated in courses such as the Peacekeeping Observer and Staff Officers’ Course and other leadership trainings.

His academic credentials include the Master of Arts in Security Studies (Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy) in United States (California) and a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

The senior officer has consistently demonstrated operational foresight and strategic acumen throughout his military career.

He has represented the Sri Lanka Army in prominent international forums, including the Jakarta International Defence Dialogue in Indonesia (2014) and the Multinational Planning Augmentation Course (2017), strengthening military diplomacy and multinational planning capabilities. In recognition of his subject expertise in counterterrorism, he was invited as a Guest Speaker at the seminar on “ The Model of Counterterrorism Warfare: Its Successes and Failures,” conducted at the Army Training School, Maduru Oya in 2018. These engagements reflect his significant contributions to both knowledge dissemination and strategic dialogue at national and international levels.

The senior officer has also contributed to the body of military knowledge through authorship. Notably, he is the author of the publication titled “ The Impact of Changing External Conditions on Counterinsurgency: The Sri Lankan Experience ” a work that underscores his analytical insight and strategic grasp of counterinsurgency operations. This scholarly contribution further enhances his professional standing as a well-rounded officer with both field and academic excellence.

In recognition of his exceptional bravery in combat and dedication throughout a nearly three-decade-long conflict aimed at ending the ethnic war in the country, the senior officer has been decorated twice with the Rana Sura Padakkama (Combat Gallantry Medal). In addition, he has received the Uttama Seva Padakkama (Meritorious Service Medal) for his exemplary and unblemished service, along with other military decorations awarded during his career.

This senior officer represents the proud legacy of a military stance, which has made invaluable contributions to building a sovereign Sri Lankan nation.

Major General Nilantha Premaratne is married to Mrs. Vindya Premaratne and blessed with two offspring.