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Launching of Maj. Gen. Tilak Paranagama’s autobiography ‘My life in the Army’
By Charnika Imbulana Munasinghe
“As an officer and a gentleman par excellence Major General Tilak Paranagama rose in the ranks from Officer Cadet to Major General without relying on favouritism or political patronage based on his own talents, exemplary skills and performance,” said Prof. Mohan Munasinghe, the Chief Guest at the recent launch of General Paranagama’s autobiography titled DESTINY-‘My life in the Army’ at the Rock House Camp, Mutwal.
The only Sri Lankan Nobel Peace Prize laureate (2007) Munasinghe said that “it is a privilege to speak on a highly distinguished retired Senior Officer of the Sri Lankan Armed Forces who commands the respect of both military officers and servicemen.”
As someone who had associated with the General for over two decades, Munasinghe went on to describe him as “a good friend, a fine human being and a caring family man. We have been happy to be associated with him also at the Royal Commonwealth Society, Sri Lanka, of which he is currently President.”
“His memoirs being launched today is a unique testament to his dedication to the Armed Forces and unstinting loyalty to our nation,” he added.
Highlighting a few of Paranagama’s career achievements set out in the book, Munasinghe revealed that the General’s superiors thought so highly of him that he became the first officer appointed to command a regiment while holding the rank of colonel.
“After completing a course in the US, General Paranagama received the highest praise from a US General. He described him as ‘a brilliant student with no weaknesses’. In 2007 the President of Sri Lanka conferred him with the National Honour of Desha Keerthi for his services to the nation.”
Prof. Munasinghe acknowledging the hardships endured by the armed forces being away from the comfort of a loving family and facing stress while carrying out military duties, recounted a few of many such occasions that General Paranagama faced.
“Within two days of resuming duties as the officer responsible for security in Colombo after a heart bypass abroad, General Paranagama had to deal with the assassinations of Lalith Athulathmudali and subsequently President Premedasa’s,” he revealed.
“The country needs many more especially young people of the caliber of General Paranagama with bravery, strength, integrity, hard work, commitment, dedication and willingness to do the difficult tasks.” he said. “You deserve our renewed praise and gratitude for setting such a fine example to young officers.”
“Even I, a mere civilian, know that the Armoured Corps modeled on traditional Cavalry Regiments is an elite unit in the military. You have truly lived up to your motto ’Wither the Fates call’.
The Guest of Honour at the event, former Governor Western Province, J.C. Logeswaran said he has known General Paranagama for 30 years, from the time he was serving as a civil administrator in Vavuniya when Paranagama was also serving there.
“In the book he has mentioned a number of people I had the privilege of associating with: General Attygalle, General Cyril Ranatunge and then Brigadier and later General, Denzil Kobbekaduwe who was Paranagama’s predecessor in Vavuniya when I served in Vauniya as a Civil Administrator,” he revealed.
“In that period the military knew the exact role they should play and the role of the civil administrator. The line was clearly marked and nobody crossed it. It was remarkable working with such officers.”
Making a telling point, the former governor said: “There is something very important I have wanted to say as a long time civil administrator. Then when these high ranking army officers like Kobbekaduwa, Paranagama, Jayewardena and Kingsley were in charge, there were no instances where people disappeared after being arrested.”
“There was nothing like that” he emphasized. “That was not a problem. When somebody was, taken into custody, he/she was accounted for. Absolute discipline was maintained. People respected and looked up to the army at that time. It was a great pleasure for me to work then,” he recounted.
‘I was a Government Agent for nine years. Before that I functioned there in several other capacities.”
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Maintaining public trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Police Department – President
Attending the passing out parade of the 82nd batch of the Special Task Force (STF) at the Katukurunda STF Training Camp in Kalutara on Monday (07), President Anura Kumara Disanayake emphasized the need for a progressive transformation within the Sri Lanka Police to ensure the rule of law, order and authority.
The President noted that the public places its trust in the Sri Lanka Police to uphold the supremacy of the law and maintaining that trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Police Department.
Addressing the newly commissioned officers, President Disanayake stated that how one serves and respects their profession is reflected in their career and urged the officers to embrace their professional duty in a way that contributes meaningfully to the transformative change the country requires.
Highlighting the current state of institutional breakdown in many sectors, the President pointed out that the people have already initiated change by altering the political authority, but reiterated that political transformation alone is insufficient. Instead, a comprehensive and positive transformation across all sectors is necessary for national progress.
The President further emphasized that new police officers carry the responsibility of meeting public expectations. He called on them to ensure public safety and security and to prevent the nation from falling prey to organized crime and drug-related issues.
He also stated that the younger generation must take responsibility for the motherland, bearing that duty on their shoulders and should strive to steer both their personal future and the future of the country in a positive direction.
President Disanayake concluded by saying that joining the regular service of the Sri Lanka Police today should be remembered by all as a significant and powerful step forward.
The President further noted that the service rendered by the Special Task Force (STF) on behalf of the public during times of emergency and disaster is highly commendable.
A total of 118 newly recruited Sub-Inspectors and 231 Probationary Police Constables who successfully completed their basic training graduated during the ceremony.
President Anura Kumara Disanayake awarded certificates and honours to officers who demonstrated exceptional performance during the training programme.
A commemorative token was also presented to President Disanayake, who attended the ceremony as the Chief Guest.
An operational demonstration by STF officers on a simulated battlefield was presented as part of the event.
Established in 1983 under the theme “Victory is Certain”, the Sri Lanka Police Special Task Force is currently recognized as a prestigious unit deployed for VIP protection, crime and organized crime suppression and narcotics control efforts aimed at building a drug-free nation.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Public Security and Parliamentary Affairs Ananda Wijepala, Minister of Health and Mass Media Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa, Deputy Minister of Public Security Sunil Watagala, Secretary to the Ministry of Public Security Ravi Seneviratne, Acting Inspector General of Police Priyantha Weerasooriya, STF Commanding Officer Senior Deputy Inspector General of Police Samantha de Silva, along with other senior police officers, the parents of graduating officers and other invitees.
[PMD]
The Cabinet of Ministers approved the resolution furnished by the President, in his capacity as the Minister of Finance, Planning and Economic Development to submit the following notification / order / rule published in the government gazette notification to the Parliament for its concurrence:
• Notification on the revision of tax limit of luxury on motor vehicles under the Finance Act No. 35 of 2018 published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 41 dated 31.01.2025.
• Rule issued under the Production Levy (Special Provisions) Act No. 13 of 1989 on revision of production levy rate for vehicles operated with electricity published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 42 dated 31.01.2025
• Order issued under the Finance Act No. 25 of 2003 on extension of the period on which the 50% relief is active which is given to the deviation levy published in the extraordinary gazette notification No. 2421 / 30 dated 31.01.2025
Although there are legal provisions for the right to publish, technical planning, right of patent, trademarks and enterprises etc, in the Intellectual Property Act No. 36 of 2003, there are no provisions for securing the rights of plant species (relevant to breeders, researchers and farmers).
In addition, no patents can be issued for flora and fauna according to the provisions of the intellectual rights act. Therefore, approval of the Cabinet of Ministers was granted at their meeting held on 22.05.2024 to introduce a new act for securing the rights of plant species.
Wherefore, the Legal Draftsman has pointed out that policy approval of the new Cabinet of Ministers should be taken to complete the drafting of the new flora species rights securing act.
Accordingly, the Cabinet of Ministers granted approval to the proposals submitted by the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Lands and Irrigation for the preparation of the said draft bill.
Maintaining public trust is a fundamental responsibility of the Police Department – President
Submission of gazette notifications for the concurrence of the Parliament.
Cabinet approval to prepare new Act for securing the rights of plant species
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