General Hamilton Wanasinghe VSV USP ndc Laid to Rest with Full Military Honours

Colombo, 15 June 2025 — General Hamilton Wanasinghe VSV USP ndc, a distinguished military strategist and a revered icon of the Sri Lanka Army, was ceremonially laid to rest at the Borella General Cemetery on 15 June 2025, in the presence of an extraordinary assembly of military and civilian dignitaries. The final rites were conducted with full military honours, paying tribute to a towering figure whose service to the nation spanned over four decades.

General Wanasinghe, a trailblazer in Sri Lankan defence history, was the first Regimental Commander of the Sri Lanka Artillery and later rose to become the 11th Commander of the Army. His leadership extended beyond conventional command as he assumed the pioneering role of the country’s first Joint Operations Commander. Further cementing his legacy, he was appointed the first Secretary of Defence to emerge from the ranks of the Gunner Regiment — a testament to his strategic foresight and institutional leadership.

Renowned for his discipline, operational acumen, and deep commitment to national service, General Wanasinghe played a pivotal role in shaping the modern Sri Lankan military. His tenure was marked by decisive leadership during critical phases of the country’s security landscape, earning him widespread respect from peers and subordinates alike.

The solemn funeral proceedings were attended by a wide cross-section of distinguished individuals, including the Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General Aruna Jayasekara WWV RSP VSV USP ndc psc, Members of Parliament, the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP ctf-ndu psc IG, several former Commanders of the Army, retired senior officers, principal staff officers, directors, and serving personnel. Their presence reflected the profound respect and gratitude held for the late General across all tiers of the military establishment and the nation at large.

As the final salute echoed through the gathering twilight, the Sri Lanka Army bid farewell to one of its most venerated sons — a Gunner, a commander, a strategist, and above all, a patriot. General Hamilton Wanasinghe’s legacy will endure as a guiding force within the Sri Lanka Artillery and the broader defence community for generations to come.