17th April 2018 10:41:53 Hours
Major General Ajith Kariyakarawana of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR), the newly appointed Deputy Chief of Staff (DCOS) assumed office on Monday (16).
He signed an official document symbolizing the assumption of office during the simple ceremony, amid Buddhist religious observances.
Major General Ajith Kariyakarawana, prior to this new appointment served as the Commander, Security Forces – Killinochchi.
Several senior officers attended the event.
The brief profile of Major General Ajith Kariyakarawana is as follows;
Major General Kariyakarawana, enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army on 27 April 1983 after completion of his secondary education at Royal College Colombo 7. He followed the Basic Officer Cadet Course No 18 A at the Sri Lanka Military Academy Diyatalawa and was commissioned in the Sri Lanka Army General Service Corps (SLAGSC) as a Second Lieutenant on 19 April 1985.
Major General Kariyakarawana has contributed explicitly to National Security, Human Resource Management, Military and Non Military Training, Humanitarian Emergency Relief, Disaster Risk Reduction, Youth Development, Administration and Logistics at tactical, operational and strategic level.
Some of the key appointments, hitherto held by him include Security Force Commander, Killinochchi, General Officer Commanding of 61, 55 and 68 Infantry Divisions, etc and he has commanded 217, 212 and 233 Infantry Brigades. He was also the Commanding Officer 6 VIR and Headquarter Battalion at the Army Headquarters during high intensity counter insurgency operations. He also served as the Contingent Commander of the MINUSTAH in Haiti.
He is a graduate of National Defence College in Bangladesh and International Defence Senior Officers Training in Vietnam.
Major General Ajith Kariyakarawana has been decorated with Uththama Seva Padakkma (USP) for his unblemished services and distinguished career.
He has been a versatile sportsman who enjoys Boxing and Rugby. Inspiring and empowering his team to perform is his passion.
He is married to Mrs Anuja Kariyakarawana.
