07th February 2019 10:12:18 Hours
With an extreme feeling of deep sorrow, sincerity and wholehearted emotional sympathy, the Colonel of the Regiment, all Officers and Other Ranks express their sadness on the demise of Lieutenant Colonel S C K Wickramarachchi RWP RSP on 4th February 2019.
Suranga Chandra Kumara Wickramarachchi was born on 31st March 1979. He studied at Madawachchiya Central College, Having enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army Regular Force as an Officer Cadet on 11thJanuary 2001 with the intake 53, during his basic Officer Cadet training at the Sri Lanka military academy he excelled in many sports such as athletics, volley ball and he was awarded with commandant’s honour for fittest Cadet in consecutive three occasions. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant. Young robust Second Lieutenant S C K Wickramarachchi selected the path of soldiering in the family of the infantry for his career in the military field and was posted to 9th Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.
He imparted his knowledge and experience to his subordinates thus contributing to the success of his Regiment in particular and the Army in general. From the beginning of Lieutenant Colonel S C K Wickramarachchi RWP RSP distinguished military career of 18 years, he has rendered invaluable service to the Army and the Nation.
He held the following appointments during his tenure of service in the Sri Lanka Army.
Platoon Commander - 9th Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
Intelligence Officer - 9th Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
General Staff Officer III (Operations) - 223 Brigade
Officer Commanding - 21st Battalion Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.
His sound military knowledge, dedication and commitment to work, coupled with the gentlemanly qualities which were charismatic stood this infantry officer in good stead in the performance of his duties in the appointments he held, bringing credit to his Regiment and to the Sri Lanka Army.
Lieutenant Colonel S C K Wickramarachchi RWP RSP was a capable and effective military leader blessed with professional competence to be looked upon as an example by is subordinates. He was awarded the following medals in recognition of his enormous contribution to the Sri Lanka Army.
Rana Wickrama Padakkama
Rana Sura Padakkama
East Humanitarian Operation
North Humanitarian Operation
Purna Bhumi Padakkama
North and East Operations Medal
Desha Putra Sammanaya
Epic journey of this battle hardened officer were praised by many officers and men, during an offensive operations this resolute officer was critically injured on 17 February 2009 at Puthukudurippu, consequently, the injury had kept this man of bravery in physical stagnation to a hospital bed for a decade and martyr has left the entire Nation on 71th independence day leaving irreparable loss to the Nation and Army in particular. Hence Maj S C K Wickramarachchi RWP RSP was posthumously promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 4th February 2019.
The demise of Lieutenant Colonel S C K Wickramarachchi RWP RSP has drawn a curtain of gloom. He leaves behind his beloved family members, friends, brother officers, soldiers and the nation whom he served with dedication and patriotism. To them we extend our sincere condolence with simplicity clothed in kindness, honesty and endless thought in an appreciation of a gentleman officer, friend and brother. His passing away definitely is an irreparable loss to his family, the service he represented and the country he served. On this sad occasion the Colonel of the Regiment and all ranks join the family members of the Late Lieutenant Colonel S C K Wickramarachchi RWP RSP sharing their grief.
Though departed, his name will forever remain close to our hearts as a great patriot of Mother Lanka.
