President promotes 7,499 Army personnel

By Norman Palihawadane

President Ranil Wickremesinghe has promoted 7,499 Army personnel on the occasion of the 73rd Army Anniversary Day that fell yesterday (10), the Army said.

The President has promoted 372 Officers and 7,127 Other Ranks of the Army on the recommendation of the Ministry of Defence and Commander of the Army, Lt Gen Vikum Liyanage.

Accordingly, five Brigadiers to the rank of Major General, 23 Colonels to the rank of Brigadier, 28 Lieutenants Colonel to the rank of Colonel, 35 Majors to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, 125 Captains to the rank of Major, 63 Lieutenants to the rank of Captain and 93 Second Lieutenants to the rank of Lieutenant (Regular Force & Volunteer Force) have been promoted in the Officers’ category.

In the category of Other Ranks, a total of 136 Warrant Officers to the rank of Warrant Officer-I, 624 Staff Sergeants to the rank of Warrant Officer-II, 911 Sergeants to the rank of Staff Sergeant, 1,250 Corporals to the rank of Sergeant, 2,199 Lance Corporals to the rank of Corporal and 2007 Privates to the rank of Lance Corporal (Regular Force, Volunteer Force and Extra Regimental Employment basis) have also been promoted.

The Army in a statement said five Senior Brigadiers who have been elevated to the two-star Major General rank in the Army included Brigadier Senaka Kasthurimudali of Gemunu Watch, Commandant, Army Training School – Maduru Oya, Brigadier Ranjan Jayasekara of Sri Lanka Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Director, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, Brigadier Janaka Priyadarshana of Mechanized Infantry Regiment, General Officer Commanding 66 Division, Brigadier Roshan Jayamanna of Gemunu Watch, General Officer Commanding 14 Division and Brigadier Janaka Ranasinghe of Sri Lanka Artillery attached to Regimental Centre.