Brigadier P M S Karunaratne psc
Principal Staff Officer – Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force
Brigadier P M S Karunarathne psc assumed duties as the Principal Staff Officer of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) with effect from 04 July 2024.
Brigadier P M Sanjaya Karunarathne enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army on 15 July 1993 under the Intake 40, and he has counted above 32 years of active service hitherto. The senior officer is a battle-hardened officer who groomed by the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment which is an elite infantry regiment devotedly, consigned to safeguarding this soil.
The senior officer is a proud product of Maliyadewa College - Kurunegala. The military stance upheld by the senior officer has been exceptionally fostered and moulded due to successful integration in Command and Staff appointments in the course of his military career.
Embarking on a challenging career, the senior officer was at the forefront of several operations launched against LTTE during the crucial phases of the war.
Further enhancing his distinguished military career, the senior officer held a wide range of key appointments that demonstrated his versatility and dedication to service. He began his journey as a Platoon Commander and Intelligence Officer at the 10th Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, followed by the role as the Officer Commanding of the same battalion. He also served as the Production Manager at Ranaviru Apparels, contributing to welfare-oriented initiatives.
He further broadened his experience by performing duties as General Staff Officer 2 (Operations and Training) at the Regimental Headquarters Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, Company Commander at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, and Second-in-command of the 6th Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment. His staff appointments included General Staff Officer 2 and Regimental Adjutant at the Regimental Headquarters Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, and General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) of the 23 Infantry Division.
In addition, he held prominent positions such as General Staff Officer 1 at the Directorate of Staff Duties, Head of the Training Team (HOTT) at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, General Staff Officer 1 (Plans) and Colonel (Plans) at the Directorate of Plans. He also served as Colonel Administration at the Directorate of Personnel Administration and the Adjutant General’s Branch, and was appointed as the Commandant of Abhimansala-3, a post dedicated to the care and rehabilitation of differently-abled war heroes.
The senior officer held the position of Deputy Chief of the Civil-Military Coordination (CIMIC) Branch within the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which is responsible for coordinating the mission's interactions with civilian populations and humanitarian organizations, facilitating communication and cooperation between the military component and various stakeholders in Haiti.
Prior to taking the duties as the Principal Staff Officer in the Headquarters of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, the Senior Officer served as the Centre Commandant of the Regimental Centre Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps.
The senior officer has earned the Master of Public Administration at the University of Sri Jayawardenepura. In the periphery of local and foreign, the senior officer widened his horizons attending career and military courses that enlighten his personality as a military leader. The senior officer has earned the qualification of "Passed Staff College" (psc) upon successfully completion of the Command and Staff Course at the Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) in Sri Lanka and completed the Potential Observer & Staff Officers Course (POSOC) conducted at the Institute of Peace Support Operations Training Sri Lanka (IPSOTSL) in Kukuleganga. In addition, the senior officer has followed the United Nations Staff Officer Course at the Malaysian Peacekeeping Centre and Young Officers’ Course in India.
The senior officer has been conferred with Desha Putra Sammanaya three times for sustaining serious injuries while facing terrorist attacks. Further, in recognition of the service rendered, the senior officer has been conferred with other service medals.
Brigadier P M Sanjaya Karunarathne is married to Mrs. Shashika Nanayakkara and blessed with two offspring.