General (Retd) Hamilton Wanasinghe, former Army Commander and Defence Secretary of Sri Lanka, has passed away at the age of 91.
General Wanasinghe dedicated over four decades of distinguished service to the nation. He began his military career in 1954 as a cadet officer in the then Ceylon Army and received his initial training at the prestigious Royal Military College, Sandhurst in the United Kingdom.
Upon completion of his training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and appointed to the Sri Lanka Artillery Regiment. Over the years, he held numerous important positions within the Army, culminating in his appointment as the 11th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army in 1988.
Following his retirement from the Army in 1995, General Wanasinghe continued to serve the nation in several key roles, including Commander of the Joint Operations Command and Secretary to the Defence Forces.
Born in Malwana, Gampaha, General Wanasinghe received his primary and secondary education at Ananda College, Colombo. A gifted sportsman during his school years, he served as Sergeant Major of the Cadet Corps and was a prominent member of the school’s rifle shooting team. His excellence in marksmanship earned him numerous accolades both during his school years and later in his military career.
He also proudly represented Ceylon in the Inter-Dominion Small Bore Rifle Shooting Championship, further highlighting his exceptional talents.
General Hamilton Wanasinghe leaves behind a legacy of patriotism, leadership, and service to Sri Lanka.
