17th February 2022 17:57:27 Hours
Lieutenant Colonel B D T D Jayarathne psc assumed office as the 8th Deputy Centre Commandant of Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (VIR) on 17 February 2022 during a brief ceremony at the Vijayabahu Infantry Regimental Centre, Boyagane, Kurunegala.
Lt Colonel Thusitha Jayarathne joined the Sri Lanka Army on 27 Jan 1995 after completing his secondary education from Royal College, Colombo 7. On completion of his basic military training from Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant of the Sri Lanka Army and posted to the Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment.
He graduated in Defence Studies at Defence Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC). He holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Diplomacy and World Affairs at Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI), Diploma holder in English from Sri Lanka Institute of Development Administration (SLIDA) and MBA in Logistics Management in Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). At present he follows MA in International Relations programme at University of Colombo. He has published a paper on “Lessons for Sri Lanka from the Rwanda Experience” at 9th International Research Conference, KDU– Professional Integration for a Secure Nation (8-9 Sep 2016). He participated and contributed in Regional Seminar on Increasing Women in UN Peacekeeping organised by High commission of Canada, IHL Seminar by ICRC, Association of Asia Pacific Peace Operations Centre (AAPTC) Commander’s Conference and Workshop by GPOI and few local seminars.
He has held numerous important appointments during his military career in Command, Staff and Instructor capacities. In Command, he has commanded 26th Bn Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment at Vellamullivaikkal, 19th Bn Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment , Southbar - Mannar and 1st Bn Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment at Velvettiturai. In staff appointments he has served in Military Secretary Branch - Sri Lanka Army Headquarters, Officers’ Branch Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, General Staff Branch 65 Infantry Division and General Staff Officer 1 at his own Regiment Centre. He has been an Officer Instructor at Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA), Squadron Commander at Kotelawela Defence University (KDU), who had experienced lecturing and training military Studies for under graduate officer cadets.
Having followed UN Military Observer Course- Malaysia, Comprehensive Protection of Civilians Course – Austria, UN Logistics Officers Course by Global Peace Operations Training (GPOI) and being employed as a Military Staff Officer/ Military Observer at United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) in (2012/2013), he has been serving as a freelance instructor/lecturer at Institute of Peace Support Operations Training in Sri Lanka at Kukuleganga and for Global Peace Operations Training (GPOI).
Besides the courses of training he followed in Sri Lanka, he has followed military training courses in India, Pakistan and defence sector visit in Indonesia.
Lt Col Thusitha Jayarathne counts 27 years service in the Sri Lanka Army. His interest includes swimming and influencing decision making. His professional interests include reverse logistics and current project focuses on Peacekeeping Capability Readiness System (PCRS). He is a practicing Buddhist. He is a caring lifelong partner to his wife Dr.(Mrs) Kaumadi Karunagoda who serves as a senior Lectirer at University of Colombo and a visionary father to two daughters , Binadi and Yenuli.
