Quick Facts
Biography
General R. M. Daya Ratnayake, WWV, RWP, RSP, USP, ndu, psc was the 20th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army.
Education and family
He was educated atMaliyadeva College, Kurunegala. Upon commissioning, he followed the Commando Officers Course, Infantry Young Officers Course, Battalion Support Weapon Course, Junior Command and Senior Command Courses in India, Governance and Management of Defence Course at Cranfield University, UK, Higher Level Security Studies Diploma Course and Advanced Communication Skills Course in Asia-Pacific Centre for Security Studies in Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. He also graduated from Defence Service Command and Staff College, Bangladesh, National Defence University, China and Army Intelligence School, Fort Huachuca, Arizona, USA.
He is married to Priyadarshani Damayanthi and blessed with two sons and a daughter.
Military career
He started his military career as an officer cadet in 1980 and commissioned as a second lieutenantin 1981 in the Sri Lanka Light Infantry Regiment. He commanded the 6th Battalion Sri Light Infantry Regiment. He served as the General Officer Commanding of 23 Infantry Division in the Eastern province. He played important roles in the operations of Liberations of Vakare and Thoppigala. He also held the post of the Commissioner General Rehabilitation for rehabilitation of 12,000 ex-LTTE combatants under the Bureau of the Commissioner General Rehabilitation. His other notable appointments include Commanding Officer of Sri Lanka Military Academy and Director Media and Military Spokesman for the Ministry of Defence. On 1 August 2013, he became the 20th commander of the Sri Lanka Army and promoted to the post of a Lieutenant General simultaneously.
He was succeeded by Major General A.W.J.C. De Silva in February 2015. The outgoing commander was promoted to the rank of general by President Maithripala Sirisena.
Awards and decorations
He got many awards including Weera Wickrema Vibushanaya (WWV), Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) (Awarded four times for Exceptional Gallantry), Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) (Awarded four times for Gallantry), Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) (For distinguished conduct) and Desha Puthra Padakkama (DPP) (For wounded in combat). While he has been recognized as the most decorated officer to have been made the commander, there has been significant controversy regarding the Weera Wickrema Vibhushanaya medal that was awarded to him.