New Army Chief of Staff assumes duties

Maj. General Jagath Gunawardena 

Maj. General Jagath Gunawardena assumed duties as the new Chief of Staff of the Army on Monday at Army Headquarters, becoming the 55th Chief of Staff to hold the post. Maj. General Gunawardena was the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) prior to taking over duties as the Chief of Staff and is also the Colonel Commander of the Engineers Corps. 

Gunawardena is a graduate of Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College, and Command and Staff College, Quetta, Pakistan. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) War Studies degree from the University of Baluchistan in Pakistan, Master in Defence Studies from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka, Master of Arts with Merit in Conflict Resolution from the University of Bradford, United Kingdom.

He has held many appointments during his career, including Officer Instructor at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Director of Staff at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Head of the Training Team at Army Wing at the Defence Services Command and Staff College.

He held the following Major appointments such as Master General Ordnance of the Army headquarters, Commander Security Forces - Wanni, General Officer Commanding of the 57 Infantry Division, Deputy Military Liaison Officer, Ministry of Defence and Director Plans.