New Army Commander Appointed

Major General K.V.N.P. Premaratne is set to be appointed as the 26th Army Commander of Sri Lanka.

Born in Gintota, Major General Nilantha Premaratne was educated at St. Servaes College, Matara. He is a distinguished alumni of that college.

He joined the Sri Lanka Army as a cadet officer in 1990. Commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1992, Major General K.V.N.P. Premaratne was attached to the Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment.

Major General K.V.N.P. Premaratne was popular among the soldiers of that regiment as "Our Nilantha Sir". That was because of his kindness.

He is an officer with extensive military experience, having held several key positions including the Commanding Officer of the 6th Artillery Regiment, Advisor to the Army Academy, Brigade Major of the 211 Brigade, General Staff Officer (Operations) of the Army Headquarters, Military Assistant to the Army Commander, Secretary to the Chief of Defence Staff, Commanding Officer of the 16th Regiment Sri Lanka Artillery, Principal Advisor to the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Commanding Officer of the 551 Infantry Brigade, Media Director and Military Spokesperson, Commanding Officer of the 23rd Infantry Division, Chief of Staff of the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff, Commander of the Defence Forces (East) and Additional General of the Sri Lanka Army.

Major General Nilantha Premaratne, who also served as a military observer in the United Nations Mission in Western Sahara for the Referendum, holds a Master of Security Studies degree in Counter-Terrorism Policy and Strategy from the Naval Postgraduate School in California, United States, and a Master of Security Studies degree from the University of Kelaniya. He has undergone military training in China, Pakistan, and India.

A two-time recipient of the Ranasura Medal and two-time recipient of the Uttama Seva Medal, Major General Nilantha Premaratne is also the author of the book "The Impact of Changing External Conditions on Counter Insurgency: The Sri Lankan Experience".

The new Army Chief will be tasked with continuing the excellent work done by the former Army Commander, Major General Lasantha Gunawardena. There is no doubt that it will be done because Major General Nilantha Premaratne is an excellent military officer armed with military knowledge and understanding in fulfilling that responsibility.

We believe that former Army Commander Lasantha Rodrigue has rebuilt the army, which was being divided between the left and the right, in a disciplined manner.

We have received information that the group that was spreading a lot of false information against former Army Commander Lasantha Rodrigue in the past may also be active regarding the appointment of the new Army Commander.

The underlying objectives and expectations of these evil groups are nothing other than to pave the way for certain retired military officials who used the military's prestige for racketeering while in active service to manipulate the military's power and authority politically.

However, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has entrusted the responsibility to the military leadership.

"If something happens, it should be received by the deserving..

The driver is good and deserves it, just as the bad...."

D. Liyanarachchi ✍️