Demise of Major General Sumith Manawaduge, the Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Artillery

Last rites of Major General S R Manawaduge RWP RSP ndu psc IG, was held with full military honours at General Cemetery, Borella on 8th May 2016 amidst a large gathering including Lieutenant General A W J C De Silva RWP VSV USP ndu psc, Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and Air Marshal G P Bulathsinghala RWP RSP VSV USP ndc psc, Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force.

Major General Sumith Manawaduge passed away on 6th May 2016 at the Intensive Care Unit, National hospital, Colombo after sustaining injuries due to a fatal accident at a construction site a few days ago.

Major General Sumith Manawaduge who was performing duties as the Director General Sports of the Army and Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Artillery has served the Army for more than 36 years in varying capacities including those in the operational areas.

Sumith Rohan Manawaduge was born on 13 July 1961 as the third child to a respectable family at Pitiwella, Ginthota in Galle District. He had his primary and secondary education at Richmond College, Galle and excelled both in academics and extracurricular activities. Having got through the General Certificate of Education Advanced Level Examination successfully in 1979 Sumith Rohan Manawaduge, without any hesitation, decided to join the Sri Lanka Army since that was what the motherland was demanding from an energetic and enthusiastic youth.

He enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army on 11 August 1980 as an Officer Cadet of Intake 14. Having completed his basic military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy by demonstrating outstanding performance, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 27 February 1982 to the prestigious 4th Field Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery. In the Regiment, he held numerous Command, Staff and Instructional appointments and performed duties in different parts of the country, displaying a high degree of professionalism and utmost commitment in discharging responsibilities entrusted to him.

Recognizing his absolute dedication, commitment, and competence displayed in the service, he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant on 27 August 1983, to the rank of Captain on 20 August 1985 and to the rank of Major on 27 August 1989. His aspiring leadership was further rewarded by the Army by promoting him to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel on 15 January 1996, to the rank of Colonel on 01 August 2000 and to the rank of Brigadier on 15 February 2005. He was promoted to the prestigious rank of Major General on 22 December 2009.

During his unblemished military career, Major General S R Manawaduge held many appointments in different capacities. Some of the key appointments held by him were as follows:

Staff Officer II - Mannar Sector
Troop Commander Cadet Wing - Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy
General Staff Officer II - Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Headquarters
General Staff Officer II - Operational Headquarters Ministry of Defence
Commandant - School of Artillery
Commanding Officer - 8th Medium Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery
Colonel (General Staff) - Headquarters, 55 Division
Officiating Commander - 552 Brigade
Officiating Commander - 215 Brigade
Centre Commandant - Regimental Centre of Sri Lanka Artillery
Officiating Commander - 562 Brigade
Commander - 112 Brigade
Director Plans - Army Headquarters
Officiating General Officer Commanding - 57 Division
Brigadier General Staff - Security Force Headquarters (East)
Commander - Area Headquarters (Kandy)
Officiating Commander - Overall Operational Command (Colombo)
Commander - Security Force Headquarters (South)
Colonel Commandant - Sri Lanka Women's Corps
Commander - Security Force Headquarters (West)
Director General Sports - Army Headquarters
Colonel Commandant - Sri Lanka Artillery

Major General S R Manawaduge followed a number of local and overseas courses in different stages of his career where he attained outstanding ratings. Some of the prominent courses of training and visits he participated were,

Young Officers' Course - India
Advance Gunnery Course - India
Artillery Gun Course - China
Officers Gunnery Staff Course - Pakistan
Senior Command Course - India
Defence Services Command and Staff College
Defence and Strategic Study Course - National Defence University, China
Seminar on Managing Defence Wider Security Context - Nepal
Seminar on Changing Nature of Conflict Trends and Responses - India
Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies 'Theatre Security Cooperation' Programme - Hawaii
Fourth Asia Meeting of International Military Sports Council - Indonesia

Major General Sumith Manawaduge also served as the Deputy High Commissioner to Sri Lanka in Malaysia from 12 August 2013 to 05 May 2015, where he performed his duties with the highest integrity and patriotism. He was instrumental in curtailing anti-Sri Lankan activities of separatist terrorist groups in Malaysia.

Major General Sumith Manawaduge was a heroic officer who always led soldiers from the front and set an example to his subordinates. He was the founder Division Commander of the 57 Division that launched the Humanitarian Operation in Wanni theatre. In recognition of his bravery in action, he was awarded the 'Rana Wickrama Padakkama' and 'Rana Sura Padakkama' on four occasions.

He was awarded many other medals and decorations in recognition of his loyal and exemplary service to the Army and the Nation.

Humanitarian Operation Medal (East)
Humanitarian Operation Medal (Wanni)
Purna Bhumi Padakkama
North and East Operation Medal
Riviresa Campaign Service Medal
Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal
50th Independence Anniversary Medal
Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal

Major General S R Manawaduge was a source of encouragement and inspiration to the Officers and Other Ranks of the Sri Lanka Army and his legacy will continue to inspire them in the future as well. He was always held in high esteem among his peers and colleagues for his absolute integrity and honesty. He always stood for the wellbeing of soldiers and contributed immensely towards uplifting the training, morale and welfare aspects of the Army.

During his illustrious military career spanning over 36 years, he served the Army and the nation with utmost dedication and loyalty displaying high qualities of leadership as an Officer and gentleman. The inspiring leadership he extended to the Regiment of Artillery and to the Army will be remembered forever.

All officers and men of Sri Lanka Artillery, both retired and serving, express their heartfelt sorrow and intense feeling on the sad demise of senior Gunner who was the epitome of an officer and a gentleman. We the Gunners stand beside the family members at this moment of grief.

"MAY HE ATTEND THE SUPREME BLISS OF NIBBANA"