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Launching of Maj. Gen. Tilak Paranagama’s autobiography ‘My life in the Army’

Published

2 years ago

2023/02/5

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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Presidential secretariat launches initiative to install sanitation facilities at fuel stations under “Clean Sri Lanka”

Published

14 hours ago

2025/05/15

Priyan

In a landmark move to promote public hygiene and accessibility, the Government on Wednesday (14) launched a national-level initiative to install modern sanitation facilities at fuel stations across the country under the “Clean Sri Lanka” programme.

The official launch was held at the Presidential Secretariat, with the participation of top government officials and key industry stakeholders.

The initiative aims to transform fuel stations into clean, safe and inclusive spaces by providing essential sanitation infrastructure accessible to all segments of the public, particularly women, children, the elderly and people with disabilities.

An MoU was signed between the Presidential Task Force on Clean Sri Lanka, the Ministry of Energy and the island’s four major fuel providers: Ceylon Petroleum Corporation (CPC), Lanka IOC PLC (LIOC), Sinopec Energy Lanka (Pvt) Ltd and RM Parks (Pvt) Ltd.

Under the three-year programme, 540 modern public sanitation facilities will be established at selected fuel stations islandwide. The timeline for rollout is as follows:

Company	2025	2026	2027
CPC	25	50	50
LIOC	25	50	40
Sinopec	25	50	75
RM Parks	25	50	75
Total	100	200	240

By the end of 2025, at least 100 of these facilities are expected to be operational, providing clean and user-friendly amenities to travellers across the country.

Speaking at the event, Secretary to the President Dr Nandika Sanath Kumanayake stated, “This is not just a policy commitment but a promise to build a healthier, cleaner and more dignified Sri Lanka. The Clean Sri Lanka initiative seeks to deliver long-term public services that meet modern hygiene standards.” He also highlighted that this partnership between the public and private sectors sets an example for delivering effective and sustainable services. Plans are in place to encourage further participation from large-scale private sector entities, such as retail chains, to extend the reach and impact of the programme.

The event was attended by Secretary to the Ministry of Energy, Prof. Udayanga Hemapala; Senior Additional Secretary to the President, Russell Aponsu; senior executives from the four fuel providers; and officials from the Clean Sri Lanka Presidential Task Force.

News

Financial assistance from the President’s Fund for next of kin of victims of the Kotmale bus accident disbursed through Divisional Secretariats

Published

14 hours ago

2025/05/15

Priyan

On the instructions of President Anura Kumara Disanayake, the funds allocated from the President’s Fund for those who lost their lives in the recent bus accident in the Garandiella area, Kotmale have now been forwarded to the relevant Divisional Secretariats.

Accordingly, a sum of Rs. 1 million will be provided to the next of kin of each individual whose life was lost in the accident, and the funds will be handed over to their respective family members.

These funds have been released to the Divisional Secretariats of the following areas—Tissamaharama, Lunugamvehera, Welimada, Haldummulla, Ella, Kundasale, Bamunakotuwa, Paduwasnuwara West, Polpithigama, Wanathawilluwa, Chilaw, Buttala, Thanamalwila, Wellawaya, Kanthale and Rambewa where the 22 individuals who lost their lives in the accident were residents.

News

USD 6.9 mn loss due to fertiliser imports: Mahindananda seeks anticipatory bail

Published

16 hours ago

2025/05/15

Sahan Weerasooriya

Mahindananda / Shasheendra

Shasheendra, too, is to be questioned soon

Former Agriculture Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage has filed an anticipatory bail application in the Fort Magistrate’s court in a bid to prevent the Commission to Investigate Allegations of Bribery or Corruption (CIABOC) from taking him into custody in connection with the ongoing investigation into the importation of a stock of allegedly substandard organic fertiliser from China during Gotabaya Rajapaksa’s presidency.

Colombo Chief Magistrate Thanuja Lakmali has asked the CIABOCt to present its position regarding the issue at hand to the court on May 19.

The CIABOC has asserted that the transaction caused Sri Lanka a loss of USD 6.9 mn.

The CIABOC arrested former Additional Secretary (Development) to the State Ministry of Agriculture, Mahesh Gammanpila on April 28, 2025, over his role in the deal with China’s Qingdao Seawin Biotech in 2021.

At the time Mahesh Gammanpila served as the Secretary to the State Ministry of Agriculture, Shasheendra Rajapaksa had been its Minister. Gammanpila is the current Chief Secretary of the Uva Provincial Council.

Aluthgamage had been the Cabinet Minister at the time the government finalised the questionable deal with the Chinese company.

CIABOC, on May 5, told court that the investigations were continuing and the ministers who decided on the importation of fertiliser from China, too, would be arrested and produced in court.

According to the CIABOC website, Mahesh Gammanpila has caused approximately USD 6.9 million loss to the government by issuing orders to open the suspended Letters of Credit to import the substandard organic fertiliser consignment from Qingdao Seawin Biotech, China, in 2021.

Although Fort Magistrate granted bail to Gammanpila on May 5, he continued to be in remand as he couldn’t meet the bail conditions. The court has also imposed a travel ban on him. (SF)