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Biography
Major General Sumith Balasuriya, VSV, USP, ndc, IG, SLA is a Sri Lankan general, who was the former Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force, Vice Chancellor/Commandant, General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and GOC, 23 Division.
Educated at Royal College, Colombo, Balasuriya joined the army in 1974 after leaving school and was commissioned in to the Sri Lanka Artillery in 1975 as a Second Lieutenant. He went to become the head of the Sri Lanka Artillery, its Colonel-Commandant. He was the General Officer Commanding of the 23 Division.
Becoming the Vice Chancellor Commandant of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University, he was tipped to become the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army. However he was appointed as Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force.
General Balasuriya is a graduate of the National Defence College, India and was the Inspector General of Artillery. He was awarded the Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV), Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP), the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, the Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, the Purna Bhumi Padakkama and the North and East Operations Medal.
Since his retirement he has been appointed as Director General of the Counter-terrorism Division in Ministry of Foreign Affairs.