Daya new Army Commander from 1 Aug.

Major General Daya Ratnayake has been appointed Commander of the Sri Lanka Army with effect from August 1, 2013.

Ratnayake has also been promoted to lieutenant General with effect from August 1st.

Army Commander Jagath Jayasuriya who was promoted as General by President Rajapaksa yesterday has been appointed Chief of Defense Staff with effect from August 1.



Lt. Gen. Ratnayake was serving as Chief of Staff of the Army and was previously Commissioner General Rehabilitation.



He held many command appointments in par with the rank held and was privileged to command an Infantry Battalion and three Infantry Brigades prior to being appointed as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 23 Division during the Vakarai and Thoppigala operations against the LTTE in the East. He has also held many key staff, instructor and administrative appointments including Commanding Officer of the Sri Lanka Military Academy.

Major General Ratnayake has also been recognised and decorated with more than twenty gallantry and service medals inclusive of the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) (Awarded four times for Exceptional Gallantry), Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) (Awarded four times for Gallantry), Uththama Seva Padakkama (USP) (For Distinguished Conduct), Desha Puthra Padakkama (DPP) (For the Wounded in Combat).