Maj. Gen. Wettasinghe new Deputy Commandant of Army’s Volunteer Force

Maj. Gen. Rohan Wettasinghe received the symbol of authority and best wishes from Army Commander Lt. Gen. Lasantha Rodrigo

Throughout his career, Maj. Gen. Wettasinghe has held a wide range of command, staff, instructional, and executive appointments 

• His service reflects courage, endurance, and personal sacrifice in defence of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka
• In 2002, he was transferred to the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, where he continued to serve with distinction, rising steadily through the ranks
• He presently serves as the senior-most Regimental Council Member, a position he has held for over a decade

Maj. Gen. Wettasinghe’s elevation marks a rare and distinguished milestone, representing the highest rank attainable by a Volunteer Force officer and one of the most senior appointments within the SLAVF. This appointment reflects his exceptional service, seniority, and proven leadership over a career spanning more than 36 years of service

Maj. Gen. L.W.S. Rohan Wettasinghe officially assumed duties as the Deputy Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) on March 24 following his promotion to the rank of Major General on March 23. His elevation marks a rare and distinguished milestone, representing the highest rank attainable by a Volunteer Force officer and one of the most senior appointments within the SLAVF. Selected from a strength exceeding 42,000 Volunteer Force personnel — nearly one-third of the Sri Lanka Army’s total strength — this appointment reflects his exceptional service, seniority, and proven leadership over a career spanning more than 36 years of unblemished service. The Army takes this opportunity to congratulate him on this outstanding achievement.

Maj. Gen. Wettasinghe enlisted in the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force as an Officer Cadet on January 25, 1990; at a critical period following the escalation of Eelam War II. Upon successful completion of training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and posted to the Gajaba Regiment on August 5, 1990.

Contribution to key military operations

During his early years of service, he was actively deployed in the Northern and Eastern operational theatres, contributing to key military operations during the conflict. His service reflects courage, endurance, and personal sacrifice in defence of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Sri Lanka.

In 2002, he was transferred to the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, where he continued to serve with distinction, rising steadily through the ranks. He presently serves as the senior-most Regimental Council Member, a position he has held for over a decade.

His tenure in the Army is widely regarded as a model of civil-military cooperation and leadership excellence

Throughout his career, Maj. Gen. Wettasinghe has held a wide range of command, staff, instructional, and executive appointments. His key military roles include Platoon Commander, Intelligence Officer, Officer Commanding, and Adjutant of the 5th Battalion Gajaba Regiment, Squadron Commander and Second-in-Command of the 7th Sri Lanka Armoured Corps, and Officer Instructor at the Volunteer Force Training School.

He later held senior command appointments as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Sri Lanka Rifle Corps (Kandy) and Commandant of the Sri Lanka Rifle Corps Training School, in addition to key staff roles as Staff Officer II (Logistics) and Staff Officer I (Administration & Quartering) at the Army Volunteer Force Headquarters.

During his tenure as Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Sri Lanka Rifle Corps in Kandy, spanning nearly seven years, he rendered exceptional and distinguished service in one of the most culturally and religiously significant environments in the country. Entrusted with security responsibilities in Kandy, he played a pivotal role in ensuring the safety and sanctity of the Sri Dalada Maligawa (Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic).

Notably, as a Christian Catholic officer, his leadership in safeguarding this sacred Buddhist site stood as a powerful example of religious harmony, mutual respect, and national unity. He was directly responsible for the security arrangements during the Dalada exposition (Dalada Vandanawa) and the internationally renowned Kandy Esala Pageant, ensuring their successful and incident-free conduct.

Through his professionalism, integrity, and people-oriented leadership, he earned the trust and confidence of the Mahanayake Theros of the Asgiriya and Malwatta Chapters, the Diyawadana Nilame, as well as government authorities, security agencies, and private stakeholders in Kandy. His tenure is widely regarded as a model of civil–military cooperation and leadership excellence.

His operational and coordination roles included Senior Coordination Officer at the Ministry of Defence and Chief Coordinator (Civil Affairs) at the Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna, where he played an important role in strengthening civil–military coordination in the post-conflict environment. 

Maj. Gen. Wettasinghe also served as Centre Commandant of the Sri Lanka National Guard, commanding nearly 10,000 personnel, with overall responsibility for training, discipline, welfare, and large-scale administration.

Beyond his military career, he has made significant contributions to civil administration and national development through secondment appointments. He served as Director of Administration at the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Hospital, where he oversaw administrative operations of over 2,000 tri-service and civilian personnel, enhancing institutional efficiency and governance.

He also served as Senior Military Liaison Officer and Chief Executive Officer of the Special Project Monitoring Unit at the Urban Development Authority, under the Ministry of Defence and later the Ministry of Megapolis & Western Development. In this capacity, he managed nationally significant commercial and urban development projects, including Arcade Independence Square, Dutch Hospital Precinct, and the Colombo Racecourse.

As Chief Executive Officer (General Manager) of Laya Leisure Kukuleganga, the hospitality signature of the Sri Lanka Army, he successfully transformed a loss-making enterprise into a profitable and high-performing venture, achieving its best financial results during his tenure.

He has also contributed at the highest levels of corporate governance as a Non-Executive Director of Litro Gas Lanka Ltd and Waste 2 Wealth (Pvt) Ltd, under the Sri Lanka Land Reclamation and Development Corporation, representing the Ministry of Megapolis & Western Development.

Maj. Gen. Wettasinghe is the recipient of numerous decorations, including the North and East Operations Medal, Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, East and North Humanitarian Operation Medals, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, Sevabhimani Medal, and several commemorative medals.

A product of St. Sebastian’s College and St. Benedict’s College, Colombo, he holds a Military Diploma from the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, and a Diploma in Hospitality and Human Resource Management from Aquinas University College, Colombo.

An accomplished sportsman, he has represented St. Benedict’s College, CR & FC, and the Sri Lanka Army in rugby and has contributed to sports administration at national level. 

Born in Kandana, he is widely respected as a professional, disciplined, and people-oriented leader. He is married to Mrs. Nicola Michelle Wettasinghe and is a father of two children. 

His appointment is widely regarded as a recognition of his extensive operational experience, leadership excellence, and lifelong commitment to national service.