Priyanka Fernando

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Major general

Priyanka Fernando

RWP, USP
Native name
ප්‍රියංක ප්‍රනාන්දු
BornColombo, Sri Lanka
AllegianceSri Lanka
Service/branch Sri Lanka Army
RankSri Lanka-army-OF-9.svg Major general
UnitGemunu Watch
Commands heldDirector General,

Mechanized Infantry Regiment. 58 Division, Gemunu Watch, 651 Brigade, 511 Brigade, 221 Brigade,

11th Battalion, Gemunu Watch
Battles/wars
Sri Lankan Civil War
Eelam War IV
AwardsRWP USP

Major General Priyanka Fernando, RWP, USP is a senior Sri Lanka Army officer. He is the Director General - General Staff(DGGS)[1] of the Sri lanka Army and the Colonel of the Regiment of the Mechanized Infantry Regiment. Previously he had held several senior appointments in the army such as Commandant of the Ranaviru (veterans) resource centre, Director of Rehabilitation, Director of Real estate and Quartering, GOC 58 Division. Formerly he served as the Sri Lankan military attaché in London. And also Fernando was the Parade commander of the 73rd Independence Day which took place on the 4th of February 2021.[2] [3]

Early life and Education[]

Fernando was educated at D. S. Senanayake College.[4] While at D. S. Senanayake, he received a sports scholarship to Australia, completed it, and returned to Sri Lanka. He rejoined D. S. Senanayake College after his return. After college he joined the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) and was trained at the Pakistan military academy.[failed verification]

Military Career[]

Fernando joined the Sri Lanka Army as a cadet officer and received his basic training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Gemunu Watch. After joining to the Gemunu watch he decided to join to the Air mobile elite force. And joined the 5th gemunu watch. He held some key appointments within the regiment. After that he got the opportunity to be a course instructor of the Sri Lanka Military Academy. After been promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel he served as the commanding officer of the 11th Battalion, Gemunu Watch between October 2007 and December 2008 attached to the 59 Division which was Commanded by Major General Nandana udawatta during the Sri Lankan Civil War. Thereafter, promoted to colonel he served as officiating brigade commander, 651 brigade on two occasions from August 2009 to February 2010 and October 2014 to January 2016.[5]

After being a young brigade commander he was appointed as the center commandant of the Gemunu watch.[6] After serving as the centre commandant for 3 years. He was appointed as a Brigade commander in two other occasions. In 511 brigade and in 221 brigade. Afterwards he was appointed as the new Defence attache of the Sri Lanka high commission In UK.

After returning from the UK, he was appointed into various positions, the Commandant of the Ragama ranaviru sevana, Commandant Ranaviru resource centre, Director of Real estate and quartering[7]. After serving in the Directorates he was appointed as the General officer Commanding (GOC) of the 58 Division[8]. And was promoted to the rank of Major General on the 18 of May 2020. [9][10][11]

After serving as the Divisional commander of the 58 Division he was appointed and currently serving as the Director General General Staff (DGGS) of the Sri Lankan army. He was the Parade Commander in the 73rd Independence Day (2021) of Sri Lanka.[12] On the 21 July 2021, Major General Priyanka Fernando assumed duties as the 12th Colonel of the Regiment of the Mechanized infantry Regiment(MIR).[13]

Awards and Decorations[]

Fernando is a decorated combat officer of the Sri Lankan army. He has received some of the highest awards in Sri Lankan armed forces. Which includes Rana Wickrama padakkama, Uttama Seva Padakkama, Northern Humanitarian Operations medal, Eastern Humanitarian operations medal, North and east operations medal, Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, Sevabhimani padakkama, Sri lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal, Purna Bhumi padakkama, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, 50th independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal. [14]

He has received some of the medals twice or more for his bravery and excellence.

Diplomatic Career[]

He was appointed as Counsellor (Defence) to the Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom in 2017. In February 2018 he was recalled to Sri Lanka after drawing media attention for making throat slitting gestures directed at Tamil protesters outside the Sri Lankan High Commission in London on 4 February 2018 (Sri Lanka's independence Day), for which he was fined £2400 by the Westminster Magistrates' Court, which ruled that Brigadier Priyanka Fernando "is not protected by diplomatic immunity".[15][16][17][18][19][20][21]

Following his recall, he had served as Commandant, Ranaviru Sampath Kendraya (Veterans Resource Center) in Wattala and Director, Real Estate and Quartering at the Army Headquarters.[22] In March 2020, he was appointed General Officer Commanding of the 58 Division.[23] On 18 May 2020, Fernando was promoted to the rank of major general.[24]

In March 2020, the Westminster Magistrates’ Court ruling was overturned on appeal by Fernando to the High Court, which quashed his conviction and acquitted him, upholding his diplomatic immunity as per the Vienna Convention which Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom are states parties too. The High Court judges ruled that Chief Magistrate of the Westminster Magistrates’ Court was not right in her determination Brigadier Fernando was not covered by residual immunity at the time.[25]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Major General Priyanka Fernando, New DGGS Assumes Office | Sri Lanka Army". www.army.lk. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
  2. ^ "Today is the 73rd Independence Day". news.lk. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
  3. ^ "73rd Independence Day Spirits Grip on Self-Reliance of the Nation | Sri Lanka Army". www.army.lk. Retrieved 2021-08-13.
  4. ^ "Unknown facts about Brig Fernando" (in Sinhala). hirunews.lk. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  5. ^ "651 BRIGADE". army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  6. ^ "The Gemunu Watch". alt.army.lk. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  7. ^ "Brig Priyanka Fernando, New Director Real Estate & Quartering Assumes Office | Sri Lanka Army". www.army.lk. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  8. ^ "New 58 Div GOC Assumes & Former GOC Relinquishes | Sri Lanka Army". www.army.lk. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  9. ^ "HISTORIC PROMOTION OF 14,617 ARMY OTHER RANKS COINCIDES WITH NATIONAL WAR HEROES' DAY". www.news.lk. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  10. ^ "Sri Lanka : Sri Lanka President promotes over 4700 Army Officers & Other Ranks marking 12th anniversary of war victory". www.colombopage.com. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  11. ^ "177 Army officers promoted". CeylonToday. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  12. ^ "73rd Independence Day Spirits Grip on Self-Reliance of the Nation". Sri Lanka Army. 4 February 2021. Retrieved 12 August 2021.
  13. ^ "Mechanized Infantry Regiment". alt.army.lk. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  14. ^ "Medals | Sri Lanka Army". www.army.lk. Retrieved 2021-08-11.
  15. ^ Brown, David (4 March 2019). "Sri Lankan envoy convicted over threats to protesters". Thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  16. ^ Bowcott, Owen; Taylor, Diane (1 February 2019). "UK arrest warrant for Sri Lanka attache over throat-cut gestures revoked". Theguardian.com. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  17. ^ "UK court finds Sri Lankan Brigadier Priyanka Fernando guilty". Colombogazette.com. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  18. ^ "Brig. Priyanka Fernando Found Guilty On Three Offences Under Public Order Act: Arrest Warrant Issued". Colombotelegraph.com. 21 January 2019. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  19. ^ "Brig. Priyanka Fernando to China". Dailymirror.lk. Retrieved 5 March 2019.
  20. ^ Sri Lanka envoy suspended over throat-slitting gesture. Catherine Philp & Phil Miller, The Times, 7 February 2018. Retrieved 5 March 2019. (subscription required)
  21. ^ "£2,400 fine for 'throat-slit' gesture : UK Court Finds Brig Priyanka Fernando Guilty". CeylonToday. Retrieved 2020-05-30.
  22. ^ "Brig Priyanka Fernando, New Director Real Estate & Quartering Assumes Office". army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  23. ^ "New 58 Div GOC Assumes & Former GOC Relinquishes". army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  24. ^ "177 Army officers including Brig. Priyanka Fernando promoted". Adaderana. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  25. ^ "UK High Court rules in favor of Major Gen Priyanka Fernando". NewsFirst. Retrieved 5 May 2021.
Flag of Sri LankaSoldier icon

This biographical article about the military of Sri Lanka is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by .

  • v
  • t
Retrieved from ""