Major General K.J.C Perera RWP RSP VSV USP rcds psc (Retd) is no more. He was enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 20th December 1966. On successful completion of training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England, he was Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and posted to 1 Field Engineer Regiment of Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers on 19th December 1968. He was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant (19th June 1970), Captain (19th June 1973), Major (15th November 1977), Lieutenant Colonel (1st May 1986), Colonel (26th December 1988), Brigadier (1st December 1989) and Major General (15th April 1996).

He became the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army on 2nd April 1999 and the Chief of Staff on 15th June 2000.

During his 35 years of distinguished service in the Army, he held following key appointments. Overall Operations Commander (North), General Officer Commanding (23 Division), General Officer Commanding (51 Division), General Officer Commanding (53 Division), Brigade Commander (6 Brigade-Welioya), General Officer Commanding (Welioya), Commander (Reserve Strike Force), Brigade Commander (Independent Brigade), Brigade Commander (24 Brigade), Area Commander (Kurunegala/Puttalam), Commanding Officer (Field Engineer Regiment), Commandant, Army Command and Staff College Chief Instructor, Sri Lanka Military Academy Military Liaison Officer, Ministry of Defence.

He also served as Coordinating Officer for Kurunegala, Northwest Province and Coordinator in Chief for Batticaloa, Ampara, Dimbulagala, Lankapura and also for Valikamam, East. He was appointed Commander, Commando/Special Force Regiment on 15th April 1999. He was also the Colonel Commandant of the Commando Regiment, Special Forces Regiment and the Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers. He retired from the regular force of the Sri Lanka Army on 31st January 2001.

Major General K.J.C Perera RWP RSP VSV USP rcds psc has successfully attended or followed under-mentioned overseas courses / seminars. Engineer Young Officers’ Course (India), Komatsu Machinery Course (Japan), Engineer Officers Earth Moving Plant Course (India), Engineer Company Commander Course (India), Defence Services Staff Course (India), Engineer Officers’ Advanced Course (USA), Royal College of Defence Studies Course (England), Seminar on Counter Insurgency (USA), Pacific Armies Senior Officers’ Logistic Seminar (USA) and Pacific Armies Management Seminar (Japan).

In recognition of his dedicated service and in appreciation of his contribution to the Army, he was awarded the following decorations and gallantry awards. Rana Wickrema Padakkama (RWP), Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), Vishishta Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV), Utthama Seva Padakkama (USP), Purna Bhumi Padakkama (PBP), North and East Operations Medal, Vadamarachchi Operation Medal, Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal 1972, 50th Independence Anniversary Medal 1998, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal 1999, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal 1979 and President’s Inauguration Medal 1978.

Courtesy : Army.lk