Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP psc IG of the Sri Lanka Artillery has been appointed as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. His Excellency the President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, in his capacity as the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, made this appointment following Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo’s elevation to his current rank on the same date.
The letter of appointment was handed over yesterday (30) at the Presidential Secretariat by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Nandika Sanath Kumanayake.
Accordingly, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo RSP psc IG assumed duties as the Commander of the Army today (31), in accordance with military traditions, during a ceremony held amidst multi-religious observances at the Army Headquarters.
Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo joined the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on 20 January 1989 under Regular Intake – 31 (IMA). He underwent basic military training at the prestigious Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, and subsequently at the Indian Military Academy. Upon successfully completing his Officer Cadet training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and posted to the Sri Lanka Artillery.
Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo is a proud product of St. Benedict’s College, Colombo, and excelled in both academics and extracurricular activities. He was a vibrant sportsman and a college prefect for three consecutive years. He held the captaincy of the school cricket, basketball, and rugby teams, and he was also a member of the school athletic team.
Over a distinguished military career spanning 36 years, he has held several significant command, staff, and instructional appointments. These include the Head of the Training Team at the Officers’ Study Centre (OSC) – Sri Lanka Military Academy, Chief Instructor of the OSC, Directing Staff at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, and Head of the Training Team (HOTT) at the same institution. He held roles such as Director of Overseas Operations at Army Headquarters, General Officer Commanding of the 66 Infantry Division. Subsequently, he served as the Commandant of the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Commander of Security Forces – Central, Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force.
Prior to his appointment as the Commander of the Army, he served as the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and also held the position of Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Artillery.
He holds several academic qualifications, including a Master of Arts in Strategic Security Studies from the National Defence University (NDU), Washington DC, USA (2019–2020) and a Master of Science in Security and Strategic Studies from the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University (KDU). Additionally, he earned a Diploma in United States Joint Professional Military Education Phase II and completed numerous other local and international courses.
The special achievements of his career include serving as the President of the International Students’ Committee during the International Counterterrorism Fellowship Program at the National Defence University in Washington, D.C. (NDU), being selected for the Award of the Best Foreign Student during the same program in 2020.
He was also decorated with the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy.
He is married to Mrs. Swendrini Rodrigo and is blessed with a son and two daughters.
