Sri Lanka is in mourning as the nation bids farewell to one of its distinguished military leaders, General Lionel Balagalle. The former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Army Commander, who served from 2000 to 2004, passed away at the Army Hospital in Colombo this morning. He was 78 years old.

General Balagalle, born in Colombo to a family of educators, began his educational journey in a rural school in Ratnapura. Later, he attended Ananda College, where he excelled both academically and athletically, earning college honors. During his time at Ananda College, he also held the position of senior school prefect and was a dedicated cadet.

On August 24, 2000, General Balagalle assumed the role of Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, succeeding General Srilal Weerasooriya. His promotion to the rank of lieutenant general marked a significant milestone in his military career. Notably, he was the first officer cadet to be locally trained at the Army Training Center and subsequently rise to the position of Army Commander.

Under his leadership, the Sri Lankan Army began deploying troops for United Nations peacekeeping operations, and he played a pivotal role in establishing the Institute of Peace Support Operations Training in Kukuleganga in partnership with the US Army Pacific Command.

On the occasion of Army Day, celebrated on October 10, 2003, General Balagalle was concurrently appointed as Chief of the Defence Staff (CDS), making him the first serving Army Commander in the country to hold this prestigious post. His tenure saw notable international engagements, as he became the first foreign military chief to visit the line of control following the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India. He also represented Sri Lanka at the sixth Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference in Hawaii and the fifth Chiefs of Defence Conference in Singapore.

General Balagalle's distinguished career continued as he served as CDS until his retirement on September 1, 2005, holding the rank of general. His contributions to the nation's defense and his legacy in the Sri Lankan military will be remembered with honor and respect.