SRI LANKA ARMY VOLUNTEER FORCE PAYS FINAL TRIBUTE TO FALLEN BRIGADIER I H S WIJESENA (RETIRED)

It is with profound sorrow that the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force marked the demise of Brigadier I H S Wijesena (Retired), who passed away on 30 December 2025. The late senior officer groomed by Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, rendered nearly thirty years of dedicated and honourable military service. In recognition of his distinguished service to the nation, a military funeral with full military honours was accorded at 1600 hours on 02 January 2026 at the General Cemetery, Pussalla.

In accordance with military traditions, troops received the mortal remains of the fallen senior officer and paid their respects near the cemetery entrance, after which the coffin, draped with the National Flag, was placed on a gun carriage. As the funeral procession reached the main entrance of the cemetery, a representative group of Senior Officers formally received the coffin and escorted it towards the crematorium, accompanied by family members and Officers.

Subsequently, the formal Special Part I Order, was read out to the mourners. In keeping with long-standing military traditions, troops then paid tribute by saluting the deceased and presenting a symbolic gun salute, the highest honour accorded to a military officer upon his demise.

Following the sounding of the Last Post bugle call, signifying that the great officer had gone to his final rest, the remains were taken to the crematorium.

Thereafter, Major General K V N P Premaratne RSP USP nps psc, the Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF), presented the bereaved family with the decorations and medals earned by the late senior officer during his distinguished military career, in keeping with military tradition.

Major General K J N M P K Nawarathna RWP RSP ndu - Director General Infantry of the Sri Lanka Army, Major General A M C Abeykoon RWP RSP USP ndc - Colonel of the Regiment of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, Major General C S Thibbotuge - Director General (Administration) of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital along with Senior Officers, Officers, Other Ranks, family members, and mourners were present to pay their final respects to the late senior officer.

The Commander of the Army and All Ranks of the Sri Lanka Army joined the family members at their hour of grief.

Below is the Part I Order that was read out at the funeral.