Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aug. 1 -- Ministry of Defence and Urban Development issued the following news release:
Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne RSP USP nps psc of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery formally assumed duties as the 26th Commander of the Army on 01 August 2026 at the Army Headquarters.
The day's formalities commenced with the newly appointed Commander paying floral tribute to the nation's fallen War Heroes at the National War Heroes' Monument at Battaramulla.
On arrival at the Army Headquarters, he was accorded a ceremonial Guard Turnout and Guard of Honour presented by troops of the Sri Lanka Artillery.
The Army Chief received blessings from members of the Maha Sangha and clergy representing the Catholic, Hindu and Islamic faiths. Amidst the chanting of Seth Pirith, the newly appointed Commander of the Army, accompanied by his spouse, Mrs. Vindya Premaratne, and family members, signed the official document, formally signifying his assumption of duties as the Commander of the Army.
Below is a brief profile of the new Commander of the Army:
Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne RSP USP nps psc was appointed as the 26th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army on 01 August 2026 by His Excellency Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
Having completed his education at St. Servatius' College, Matara, he joined the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 14 July 1990 with the Regular Intake 34. Following the successful completion of his basic military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA), Diyatalawa, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 06 June 1992 and posted to the Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery.
Immediately prior to assuming command of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne served as the 69th Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army. Over a distinguished military career spanning more than three decades, he has held a wide range of command, staff, instructional and key administrative appointments, reflecting his extensive professional acumen and leadership.
His command appointments include Battery Commander of the 6th Field Regiment, Sri Lanka Artillery; Second-in-Command and subsequently the Commanding Officer of the 16th Regiment, Sri Lanka Artillery; Commander - 551 Infantry Brigade; General Officer Commanding - 23 Infantry Division; Commander - Security Forces (East), and Commandant - Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force. He is currently holding the appointment of Colonel Commandant of the Regiment of Sri Lanka Artillery.
His Staff appointments include Brigade Major - 211 Infantry Brigade; General Staff Officer 1 (Operations) - Directorate of Operations, Army Headquarters; Military Assistant to the Commander of the Army (2011-2013); Secretary to the Chief of Defence Staff (2013-2014); Director Media (Military Spokesperson) of the Sri Lanka Army; Brigadier General Staff - Security Forces Headquarters (West); Chief of Staff - Office of the Chief of Defence Staff; Adjutant General; Deputy Chief of Staff; and Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army.
In the field of military education and training, Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne has made a distinguished contribution to the Sri Lanka Military Academy through a succession of key instructional and command appointments; as an Officer Instructor, Directing Staff at the Officers Study Centre, Chief Instructor, and Commanding Officer of the Officer Cadet Wing, playing a pivotal role in grooming generations of Army officers.
Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne has also represented Sri Lanka in international military undertakings, serving as a Military Observer with the United Nations Mission for the Referendum in Western Sahara (MINURSO).
Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne embellishes a distinguished academic background, having earned a Master of Arts Degree in Security Studies (Counterterrorism: Policy and Strategies) from the Naval Postgraduate School, California, USA, and a Master of Defence Studies (M.Def.S.) from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka.
His professional military education includes the Artillery Young Officers' Course in India, the Advanced Gunnery Course in Pakistan, the Army Command and Staff Course in Sri Lanka, the Battalion Commanders' Course in China, and the Potential Observers and Staff Officers Course in Sri Lanka.
Further enhancing his professional expertise, he has participated in several prestigious international seminars and training programmes, including the Jakarta International Defence Dialogue in Indonesia (2014); the Multinational Planning Augmentation Team (MPAT) TEMPEST EXPRESS 31 and Multinational Force Standard Operating Procedures (MNF SOP) Workshops in Bang Saen, Thailand (2017); and the Transnational Security Cooperation Course 26-1, conducted by the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies, Honolulu, Hawaii, USA (2026).
In recognition of his exceptional bravery in combat, Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne has been awarded the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) on two occasions and the Utthama Seva Padakkama (USP) for his distinguished and unblemished service to the nation.
As an accomplished military academic contributor, he also authored the book "The Impact of Changing External Conditions on Counter Insurgency: The Sri Lankan Experience".
Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne is married to Mrs. Vindya Premaratne, and blessed with two sons.
Courtesy - www.army.lk
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
