Lionel Balagalle
General | |
|---|---|
| Unit | Sri Lanka Artillery |
| Commands held | Commander of the Sri Lankan Army |
| Awards |  Rana Wickrama Padakkama Rana Sura Padakkama  Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya  Uttama Seva Padakkama |
Early life and education
Born in Colombo, both Balagalle's parents were teachers. Having received his primary education in a rural school in Ratnapura, he attended Ananda College for his secondary education. He excelled in sports winning college colours. He was a senior school prefect and a cadet.[1]
Military career
Artillery officer
Balagalle studied medicine before he joined the Ceylon Army as an Officer Cadet on 5 April 1965. Receiving his basic training at the
Staff officer
Captain Balagalle served as the adjutant of the 3rd(V) Battalion, Gemunu Watch, before serving as a General Staff Officer (Grade 3) at the Army Headquarters in operations and training. He then served as General Staff Officer (Grade 2) at HQ Jaffna; Staff Officer (Grade 2) Admin at Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force HQ and SO2 Logistics at Special Force HQ. He attended the Intelligence Staff Officers Course in Pune from August 1975 to October 1975, then returned to Deolali from August 1977 to September 1978 for the Long Gunnery Staff Officers Course (Field) qualifying as an Instructor Gunnery (IG) and was promoted to the rank of Major in October 1978. He attended the Senior Officers Artillery Implementation Course in Pakistan.[1][3][4]
Military intelligence
Having transferred to the
Higher command
Balagalle had served as
Commander of the Army and CDS
On 24 August 2000, he succeeded
[9][4]Personal life
General Balagalle married his wife Gnana and they had three children. His son Lakmal Balagalle was also an artillery officer.[1]
Death
He died on 26 October 2023 at the
Decorations
His military decorations included the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for gallantry; the distinguished service medals, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV), Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP), Videsha Seva Padakkama and the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal and Clasp; campaign medals Vadamarachchi Operation Medal, Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, and the North and East Operations Medal with Clasp. He also received the President's Inauguration Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Centenary Medal.[1][3]
His badges include: Sri Lanka Artillery Regimental Identification Badge, Instructor in Gunnery Badge and the Sri Lanka Artillery Training School Badge.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h CDS &; ARMY CHIEF LT. GEN BALAGALLE BIDS AU REVOIR
- ^ An officer and a gentleman
- ^ a b c d e f g "Former army commander's final rites held with full military honours". Sunday Times. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ a b c d e f "Army Headquarters Special Part 1 Orders". army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
- ^ Chandraprema, C. A. (2012). Gota's War. Colombo: Piyasiri Printing Systems. pp. 215–216.
- ^ "Ananda Icons | Dailynews.lk - Sri Lanka". Archived from the original on 7 July 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
- ^ "BBC News | SOUTH ASIA | Sri Lanka 'needs more troops'".
- ^ "Past Army Commanders". Sri Lanka Army. Archived from the original on 30 August 2012. Retrieved 17 September 2014.
- ^ "PresidentCBK". Archived from the original on 30 March 2013. Retrieved 14 May 2013.
- ^ Former Army Commander Lionel Balagalle passes away News Wire
External links
- Lionel Balagalle at Outlook India
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