Army Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Vikum Liyanage received his appointment letter as the 24th Army Commander from President Gotabaya Rajapksa at President's House yesterday. He will assume duties as the Commander in the rank of Lt. General from today. He replaces Gen. Shavendra Silva who assumes duties as the Chief of Defence Staff from today.
Major General Vikum Liyanage has been appointed as the 24th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.
Major General Liyanage received his official letter of appointment from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa at President’s House, Colombo, yesterday (31).
Liyanage, the most Senior Officer in the Army will be elevated to the rank of Lieutenant General from today (June 01) with the assumption of duties as the Army Commander.
Lieutenant General Liyanage as an Officer Cadet joined the Sri Lanka Army on October 27, 1986 and followed basic military training at the prestigious Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa and subsequently at the Pakistan Military Academy. Upon successful completion of Officer Cadet training, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and was posted to the Gajaba Regiment.
During the 35 years of his illustrious military career, he has held a number of significant command, staff and instructional appointments, including Platoon Commander, Company Commander and Adjutant of Fourth Gajaba Regiment.
Lieutenant General Liyanage was able to widen his horizons through the experience gained over the years from respective appointments in his office and through further training he underwent.
During the peak of the final Humanitarian Operation, Lieutenant General Liyanage commanded the 8 Gajaba Regiment of the victorious 57 and 56 Divisions which were actively conducting operations. He was able to achieve many victories against the LTTE.
Lieutenant General Liyanage who has actively taken part in operations against the LTTE has been adorned with gallantry awards – Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP).
The Senior Officer was awarded the above medals thrice during his military career for being a pioneer in eradicating terrorism during the North and East Humanitarian Operations. Further, he is a recipient of Desha Puthra Padakkama.
Lieutenant General Liyanage has also received service decorations such as East Humanitarian Operation Medal, North Humanitarian Operations Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, North and East Operation Medal, Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal, Long Service Medal, Seva Abhimani Medal and Service Medal.
Add new comment