NEW CENTRE COMMANDANT ASSUMES DUTIES

Brigadier W S N Hemarathna RWP RSP psc assumes office as the 16th Centre Commandant of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment on 01 May 2021 during a brief ceremony at the Vijayabahu Infantry Regimental Centre, Boyagane, Kurunegala giving pride of place to military customs by adhering all the health precautions and guidelines stipulated to prevent COVID-19 outbreak.

The proceedings began as the day's protagonist, Brigadier Sumal Hemarathna’s arrival at the VIR Regimental Centre, Colonel Rukshan Kannangara, Deputy Centre Commandant of the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment warmly received the newly appointed Centre Commandant at the main entrance. Thereafter a Guard Turnout is awarded in accordance with military formalities. Then he respected formally all fallen Vijayabahu War Heroes, while laying the floral wreaths at the War Heroes Monument and PWV Monument.

Later on, amidst religious observances Brigadier Sumal Hemarathna placed his signature in a formal document, symbolizing the assumption of duties. Leaving an indelible gesture in the premises, Brigadier Sumal Hemarathna was later on invited to pose for group photographs with the Officers as well as Senior Non Commissioned Officers and afterwards, he was ushered to plant a tree sapling in the regimental premises. As the day’s final showcase, New Centre Commandant at addressed troops which was arranged at the “Salute” Multifunctional Hall followed by an All Ranks Tea Party where he shared a few thoughts with the attendees.

Brigadier Sumal Hemarathna was born on 07 June 1970 and studied at Thurstan College, Colombo. He was a bright student in the college who amply illustrated his talents and skills in various streams.

He was enlisted to Sri Lanka Army Regular Force on 02 January 1991 and followed the basic military training as a Cadet Officer of Intake 35. After a successful training he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant on 29 August 1992 and posted to 1st Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment. In the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment career he has held various appointments at 1st Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment such as a Platoon Commander, Company Commander and Operations and Training Officer. Subsequently, he hold the appointment of 2nd In Command of 7th Battalion and then commanded the 8th Battalion the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment respectively.

During his 30 years of military tenure and He has held numerous important appointments in Command, Staff and Instructional capacities in various formations, namely;

Brigade Major - 533 Infantry Brigade

Staff Officer 2 - Military Secretary’s Branch, Army Headquarters

Directing Staff - Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda

Staff Officer 1 - Commander’s Secretariat, Army Headquarters

Staff Officer 1 (Grade 2/3 Cell) - Military Secretary’s Branch, Army Headquarters

Staff Officer - United Nations Peacekeeping Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)

Senior Instructor (Unit Command Course Section) - Officers Career Development Centre, Buththala

Chief Instructor - Officer Career Development Centre, Buththala

Commander - 581 Infantry Brigade, Kotagala

Besides the courses of training he followed in Sri Lanka, he has followed military courses in India and United Kingdom. He has followed Young Officers’ Course - India and Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare Course - India. Having attended the Army Command and Staff Course in Sri Lanka in the year 2005, he was selected to follow his second Staff Course at Defence Services Staff College, India in 2007. Further, he has followed Overseas Directing Staff Course at the Joint Services Command and Staff College in United Kingdom. He holds two Master Degrees in Defence Studies at University of Kelaniya and University of Madras, India.

He was awarded by “Rana Wickrama Padakkama” and “Rana Soora Padakkama” for excellent conduct and bravery in the battlefield. This Senior Officer is married to Mrs Nimali Hemarathna and blessed with one son and one daughter.