Colonel of the Regiment

Major General Rohitha Aluvihare RWP RSP ndu psc, a renowned senior military officer who possesses wealth of above 35 years of distinguished service is the present Colonel of the Regiment of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. In addition to the appointment as the Colonel of the Regiment, he is serving as the Commander Security Force (Central). As a battle-hardened infantry officer nourished and groomed by the prestigious 05th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Major General Rohitha Aluvihare epitomized a charismatic role of leadership for preserving the solemn decorum of the Sri Lanka Army in every phase of his military career. Prior to the present acceptance of duties as the Colonel of the Regiment VIR, he held the office of General Officer Commanding 11 Infantry Division of the Security Forces - Central.

Major General Rohitha Aluvihare enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 26 July 1988 to the Intake 31 of the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa where he subsequently completed the basic military training at the Indian Military Academy. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and posted to the 5th Battalion of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 05 October 1990 belonging to the clan of ‘Archers’ who are precise combatants committed to safeguard the national sovereignty.

The military stance upheld by the Colonel of the Regiment, the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was exceptionally fostered and molded on the blessings of his beloved Alma Mater: Maliyadeva College Kurunegala and career enhancements owing to the successful integration in Command, Instructional and Staff appointments and distinguished undertakings under varied phenomena.

During his illustrious career, the Senior Officer having held all the appointments of the battalion, he commanded the Victorious Fourth Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. He rendered his service in different locations under diverse capacities as the Commander of the 571 and 553 Infantry Brigades and also as the General Officer Commanding of 58 and 11 Infantry Divisions.

Imparting his knowledge and expertise with the grooming officer cadets of the Sri Lanka Army, the Senior Officer has served at the Sri Lanka Military Academy as an Officer Instructor, Company Commander, Academy Adjutant , Chief Instructor and Commanding Officer of Officer Cadet Wing. Additionally, the Senior Officer served as the Commandant of the Army Training School - Maduruoya.

Major General Rohitha Aluvihare has served as a Staff Officer of Peacekeeping Contingent which was deployed in Haiti and also served as a Staff Officer in the capacity of Brigade Major at 222 Infantry Brigade, Adjutant and Staff Officer I at the Vijayabahu Infantry Regimental Headquarters, Boyagane. He was also the General Staff Officer I and Colonel General Staff at Directorate of Operations, Army Headquarters. Later, he was appointed as the Principal Staff Officer at Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Headquarters. He also held the appointments of Director General General Staff, Chief of Staff at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff and Adjutant General of Sri Lanka Army.

Enriching his remarkable career in the service, he has attended a number of local and foreign courses of academic and professional value. To name a few: Young Officers’ Course in Pakistan, Officers’ Transport Management Course in India, Junior Command Course in India and Infantry Battalion Commander Programme in China. Further, he is a graduate of the National Defense University of China. This graduate of Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda has obtained his Master’s Degree in Defence Studies at the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.

Major General Rohitha Aluvihare actively engaged in many key military operations in North and East during the war against separatists in the country. He has been recognized as a true warrior adorned with gallantry awards of Rana Wickrama Padakkama for individual or associated acts of bravery in the face of the enemy and performed voluntarily and Rana Sura Padakkama for the distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy.

Major General Rohitha Aluvihare is married to Mrs. Thushara Yatiwawala and blessed with 2 daughters, Mevuna and Mindana.