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Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment

Nothing is beyond endurance for the one who excels

Colonel of the Regiment

Major General Nalin Bandaranayake USP

Major General Nalin Bandaranayake USP, a renowned senior military officer who possesses wealth of over 33 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, presently he is serving as the General Officer Commanding of 14 Infantry Division and as the Chairman of the Sri Lanka Army Hockey committee. As a battle-hardened infantry officer nourished and groomed by the prestigious 7th Battalion of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment, Major General Nalin Bandaranayake epitomized a charismatic role of leadership for preserving the solemn decorum of the Sri Lanka Army in every phase of his military career.

Major General Nalin Bandaranayake enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 07 September 1990 to the Intake PMA 1 of the Pakistan Military Academy where he subsequently completed the basic military training at the Pakistan Military Academy. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and later posted to the 7th Battalion of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment belonging to the clan of ‘Archers’ who are precise combatants committed to safeguard the national sovereignty.

The military stance upheld by the newly appointed Colonel of the Regiment, the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment was exceptionally fostered and molded on the blessings of his beloved Alma Mater: St Thomas College - Mathale 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 19th Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. He rendered his service in different locations under diverse capacities as the Commander of the 611 and 111 Infantry Brigades and also as the Director Army Sports of Directorate of Sports at Army Headquarters.

Major General Nalin Bandaranayake has served as a Staff Officer of Peacekeeping Contingent which was deployed in Haiti and also served as a Adjutant, Staff Officer I Logistic, Staff Officer 1 Admin at the Vijayabahu Infantry Regimental Headquarters, Boyagane. Then he was appointed as the Commanding Officer Training Wing at Combat Training School Ampara, Deputy Centre Commandant Regimental Headquarters Sri Lanka National Guard Later, he was appointed as Deputy Commandant and the Commandant at the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment Headquarters, Boyagane. Then he was appointed as the Chairman of the Army Hockey Committee and the as Commandant at the Army Training School Maduruoya.

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 All Arms Field Engineering and Watermanship Course Pakistan, Junior Command Course in India, Air Borne Couse in India and Account Course conducted by SLAGSC at Panagoda.

Major Nalin Bandaranayake actively engaged in many key operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Army in Northern and Eastern theatre and some of the clandestine operations conducted by the Sri Lanka Army. Further, he has been awarded “UTTAMA SEWA PADAKKAMA” for his unblemished military career.

Major General Nalin Bandaranayake is married to Mrs Damayanthi Bandaranayake and blessed with a son Sakiru Bandaranayake.