Laksiri Waduge

Janaka Laksiri Waduge was born on 16 April 1965 in Rathmalana to Galwaduge Steephen and Mrs. Karunawathi. He studied at Gurukula College, Kelaniya.[1]

On 14 June 1985, Waduge joined the regular force of the Sri Lanka Army to Officer Cadet Intake SSC 05 of Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyathalawa.[2] On successfully completing his officer training, he was commissioned on 9 February 1986 and was posted to the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.[3]

During his military career, he held many command and staff appointments such as Platoon Commander, Company Commander, General Staff Officer III, Staff Officer II – Admin, Second in Command, Commanding Officer of 7th & 8th Battalions of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, Staff officer I Admin, General Staff officer I, Brigade Commander, Contingent Commander United Nation Peace Keeping Operation Battalion of Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment in Haiti, Area Commander, General Officer Commanding, Commandant – Infantry Training Centre – Minneriya, Director General - Operations & Security at Office of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Officer Commanding 52 Division. In 2019 he was appointed Commander Security Forces - Central and Colonel Commandant of the Military Intelligence Corps.

He was also the Exercise Director for the joint Tri-service Mega Field Training Exercise (FTX), "Exercise - Cormorant Strike X - 2019" held in September 2019 across the island.[4]

Waduge has completed a number of overseas and local military courses such as Battalion Support Weapon Course at Infantry Training Centre – Minneriya, Young Officers Course in India, Junior Command Course in Bangladesh, Basic Laws of Armed Conflict Course in Malaysia, Multinational Forces Standard Operation Procedure Course in Thailand, Asian Regional Forum (ARF) Peace Keeping Experts Programme in China, Senior Command Course at the Army War College, Mhow and Defense & Strategic Studies Course at the PLA National Defence University.[5]

Laksiri Waduge played a key role in the Humanitarian Operations which took place during the last phase of the Sri Lankan Civil War. He served as the Deputy General Officer Commanding, 59 Division during the Sri Lanka Army offensive in the Wanni region.

The 59 Division was tasked with fighting its way to recapture the rebel strongholds of Mullaitivu from the Welioya sector. The division captured much of the district of Mullaitivu, the major Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam(LTTE) One Four base and finally the town of Mullaitivu during the Mullaitivu Battle in early 2009. The significance of his role in the 2009 war was acknowledged in an article in the Nation which named him with other top military figures as being instrumental in winning the war.[6]

His military awards and decorations includes the Rana Wickrama Padakkama, the Rana Sura Padakkama for his gallantry and exceptional valour in battle field and the Vishishta Seva Vibhushanaya and the Uttama Seva Padakkama for his exceptionally conduct and distinguished service.[7] He has also been awarded Desha Putra Sammanaya, Eastern Humanitarian Operations Medal, Northern Humanitarian Operations Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, North and East Operations Medal, Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, Sewabhimani Padakkama, Sewa Padakkama, Videsha Seva Padakkama, United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti Medal.

• "Govt. takes steps to re-settle civilians in Wanni".
• "Hasalaka Hero alias Corporal Gamini Kularatne: Gallant hero defends Elephant Pass".
• "FTX 'Harmattan - 2' Completes Its Mission Before UN Mission".
• "New Central Commander Assumes Duties".
• "NEW COMMANDER SF(CENTRAL) OFFICIALLY VISITED 12 DIV AND BRIGADES".
• "THE COMMANDER SECURITY FORCES (CENTRAL) VISITS THE UNDER COMMAND UNITS".
• "THE NATIONAL WAR HEROES' MEMORIAL DAY OF CENTRAL PROVINCE WAS CELEBRATED".
• "MILITARY PERSONNEL CONTRIBUTE FOR ECO FRIENDLY PROGRAMME".
• "THE NEWLY CONSTRUCTED PRE SCHOOL DECLARED OPEN".
• "Kandy Perahera season Army to provide special security".
• "Visit to British Delegation to the SFHQ Cen".
• "Army Golf reaches new heights".
• "TROOPS COOPERATE TO CLEAN THE ENVIRONMENT".
• "VIRU KEKULU KIDS DISPLAY THEIR TALENTS".
• "Mega 'Exercise - Cormorant Strike X - 2019' Begins".
• "'Cormorant Strike - 2019' mock operations result in the capture of terrorist gang".
• "You cannot resolve issues single-handedly – Army Commander".
• "Pakistan's Major General arrives in Minneriya to watch final mock operation".
• "SLA's flagship military exercise 'Diyakawa' ends tomorrow".
• "Cormorant Exercise - 2019 A strike like no other".
• "SF COMD VISITS THE AFFECTED LOCATIONS IN THE AOR".
• "THE COMMANDER OF THE ARMY VISITS SF HQ (CEN)".
• "THE WALK OF TWO DISABLED SOLDIERS CONCLUDED SUCCESSFULLY".
• "TROOPS CLEANED THE COASTAL AREA OF KIRINDA".
• "Central Troops Continue in Search of Land Slide Victims".
• "SECURITY FORCES HEADQUARTERS (CENTRAL) COMMENCES THE FIRST WORKING DAY OF YEAR 2020 CEREMONIOUSLY".
• "COURTESY CALL BY BANGLADESH DEFENCE ADVISER".
• "Army prepares quarantine facility for Wuhan returnees".
• "Army Well-Prepared for Coronavirus Quarantine Purposes & Isolation Process".
• "MSTS Built New Accommodation Quarters & Water Storage Opened".
• ""You Added Indelible Mark to Army History", Says Army Chief Appreciating 'Good Samaritans' in Diyatalawa".
• "Wuhan students' Covid-19 saga comes to a happy ending".
• "Troops Join 2000 Sapling Planting in Nariyakanda".
• "REPRESENTATIVES OF THE INDIAN ARMY VISITED SFHQ (CEN)".
• "SL Army - 59 Div Captured LTTE strong hold Mullaitivu".
• "National flag flutters in Mullaitivu. LTTE communications centre seized 26/01/2009".
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