15th July 2023 16:54:24 Hours
The funeral of Captain Susantha Premakeerthi SLNG, attached to the Regimentals Headquarter Battalion who passed away on Saturday (08) at Teaching Hospital Anuradhapura due to Head Cancer, took place at General Cemetery, Galkadawala on Monday (10) amidst military honours and a gathering of his close military colleagues, family members and mourners.
At the cemetery, large number of Officers and Other Rankers paid their final salute to the late officer.
The full text of the Part I Order issued by Colonel of the Regiment on the demise of Captain Susantha Premakeerthi SLNG is as follows:
LATE - CAPTAIN S W M S PREMAKEERTHISLNG (O/7616)
It is with deep regret and profound sadness that the Colonel of the Regiment and all members of the Guardians Family pronounce the demise of Captain SWMS Premakeerthi SLNG on 08 July 2023.
Semasinghe Wanninayake Mudiyanselage Susantha Premakeerthi was born to late Mr.W.M Muthubanda and Mrs.H.M Punchimenika on 15 April 1980, as a member of a respectable family in Nikaweratiya. He received his education from A/Niwaththakachetiya Maha Vidyalaya Anuradhapura. He has shown a distinguished stance in sports and other extracurricular activities during his school career.
At the completion of his school education, Captain Susantha Premakeerthi had decided to serve his motherland and nation. He started his early military career in the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force on 09th September 1998. Thereafter, successful completion of the military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy Diyatalawa, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant on 01st February 2009. Then Second Lieutenant SWMS Premakeerthi was posted to the 22nd Battalion of Sri Lanka National Guard. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 01st February 2012 and Captain on 01st February 2015.
During his outstanding military career over more than 24 years in the Army, he improved his tactical and theoretical knowledge by following many courses, such as:
Young Officers Course
Regimental Signal Officer Course
Tamil Course
Practical Pistol Course
Unit Coach Course
Small Group Operation Course
Basic Marksmanship Course
The Officer made a significant contribution to the Sri Lanka Army through the knowledge he gained from the courses and the experience he acquired over the years. He was a member of Army firing team and Regimental firing team. He has also received the Army Commander's Medal for his performances in Army shooting competitions.
He performed duties in operational and non-operational areas during his 24 years of military service. He held the following appointments during his career:
Platoon Commander
Officer Commanding
Captain Susantha Premakeerthi was a capable and effective military leader blessed with professional competence to be looked upon as an example to his subordinates. Further, he has been awarded the following service medals in recognition of his contribution to the operational duties as well as his dedicated and commendable service rendered to the Sri Lanka Army:
Eastern Humanitarian Operation Medal
Northern Humanitarian Operation Medal
Purna Bhumi Padakkama
North and East Operations Medal
75th Independence day Commemoration Medal
Sewabhimani Medal
Service Medal
Demise of Captain Susantha Premakeerthi has drawn a curtain of gloom. He leaves behind his beloved family members, friends, brother officers, soldiers, and the nation to which he served with dedication and patriotism. We extend our sincere condolence to all of them with an endless thought in an appreciation of a gentleman officer, a friend, and a brother. His passing away definitely is an irreparable loss to his family, the service he represented and the country he served. On this gloomy occasion, the Colonel of the Regiment and all members of the Guardian Family joined in deep sympathy to the family members of late Captain SWMS Premakeerthi.
The funeral of late Captain S W M S Premakeerthi takes place with full military honours befitting to the rank at Galkadawala Public Cemetery at 1500 hours on 10 July 2023.
Late Captain Susantha Premakeerthi, though you have departed, your name and exceptional service to the Army will always be remembered. Your noteworthy contribution towards the growth of the establishment would be cherished by all that follow. Your name remains as a true son of Mother Lanka eternally.
‘MAY HE ATTAIN THE SUPREME BLISS OF NIRVANA’
