10th May 2024 14:21:40 Hours
During a solemn ceremony, Major General Nilantha Premaratne RSP USP psc of Sri Lanka Artillery, the former General Officer Commanding of the 23 Infantry Division, assumed office as the Chief of Staff (COS) of the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (OCDS) at an auspicious moment on 07 May 2024. The new COS assumed the office succeeding Major General Asanga Perera who was the former Chief of Staff at OCDS. The auspicious moment was marked by Major General Premaratne signing an official document, symbolizing the formal acceptance of his new responsibilities. Later, he was briefed by the respective heads of the OCDS, providing him with a comprehensive understanding of the office's responsibilities.
A gathering of esteemed Senior Officers graced the occasion, underscoring the importance of this transition. As the new Chief of Staff, Major General Nilantha Premaratne received warm greetings and well-wishes from the assembled officers, signifying a seamless transition and a shared commitment to national security.
Major General Nilantha Premaratne joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1990 and upon the commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, he was posted to the Sri Lanka Artillery as a Gunner Officer. The senior officer earned a Master of Arts degree in security studies (Counterterrorism: Policy & Strategies) from the Naval Postgraduate School, California USA, and a Master’s degree in Defence Studies (M. Def.S) from the University of Kalaniya Sri Lanka.
He is a distinguished recipient of the 'Rana Sura Padakkama' (RSP) for his valour on the battlefield, while his exemplary military career has been honoured with the prestigious 'Utthama Seva Padakkama' (USP).