Major Siri Wijegunawardena

A True Officer and a Gentleman

Major Siri Wijegunawardena (O-51095), a distinguished officer of the Sri Lanka Army Service Corps (SLASC), served with dedication and honor in both the Regular and Volunteer regiments of the SLASC—today known as the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the SLASC. Those who served with Major Wijegunawardena fondly remember him as “Major Siri”—a title that conveyed both affection and deep respect. Throughout his career, he exemplified the finest qualities of military leadership, discipline, humility, and sportsmanship.

An alumnus of Ananda College, Major Wijegunawardena first made his mark as a talented schoolboy cricketer, representing his alma mater with distinction. His passion for the sport continued during his military training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst (RMA), where he not only represented the RMA in cricket but also set several remarkable records, earning admiration from peers and instructors alike. He distinguished himself as an all-rounder—serving as an opening batsman alongside Cecil Waidyaratna (later Commander of the Army from 1991 to 1993) and as one of RMA’s leading bowlers.

On 10 May 1961, during the match between the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) and RMA Sandhurst at Lord’s Cricket Ground, his exceptional performance was highlighted in an article in the London Daily Mail. Owing to his extraordinary achievements at Sandhurst, he was invited to remain for an additional year to play cricket for the Royal Corps of Transport.

In addition to cricket, Major Wijegunawardena rose to national prominence as both the Sri Lanka National Golf Champion (1970) and the National Badminton Champion—achievements that reflected his dedication, discipline, and natural athletic ability. As a member of the Royal Colombo Golf Club, he had the privilege of playing with several eminent personalities, including then Prime Minister Dudley Senanayake, an enthusiastic golfer himself.

He shared the proud distinction of being a Sandhurst-trained officer with many of the Army’s finest—General Waidyaratna, General Daluwatte, General Balaratnaraja, General Lalin Fernando, General Sena Silva, and Colonel Musafer (Commanding Officer, SLASC (R), 1974–1976). Although from different Sandhurst batches, he was a close friend of the legendary General Denzil Kobbekaduwa. In fact, when Major Siri left Sri Lanka, he presented his Sandhurst blues uniform to General Kobbekaduwa—a gesture symbolic of their enduring friendship. Furthermore. he also maintained close ties with his friend and colleague Lieutenant General Hamilton Wanasinghe, who served as Commander of the Army from August 1988 to November 1991.

Above all, Major Siri Wijegunawardena epitomized what it truly means to be an officer and a gentleman. He upheld the highest military traditions through his integrity, humility, and unwavering sense of duty. A deeply religious and spiritual man, he lived his faith quietly earning the admiration of both his superiors and subordinates. His moral conviction was exemplified when he once requested and was granted an exemption on religious grounds from participation in an operation—as his faith and conscience would not allow him to do otherwise.

His popularity among all ranks was a testament not only to his professional excellence but also to his kindness, empathy, and down-to-earth nature — a true officer and a gentleman to the very end.

May you attain Nibbāna, Major Siri.

_{*Maj. General Anton Muttukumaru, the first Ceylonese Commander of the Ceylon Army had the first officer number assigned – O/50001.}

Major Siri Wijegunawardena 2018 at Panagoda

Sandhurst Association of Sri Lanka 2009

2009 Army Sandhurst Association Reunion: Lt. Col Musafer (former CO) and Major Siri Wijegoonawardena (former Adjutant of Volunteer CASC) are in this group.

Program of Visit to 1 SLASC July 8 2011

Visit to 1 SLASC July 8 2011

Official Portrait Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst

General Wijeyekoon with Sri Lanka Cadets of Royal Military Academy of Sandhurst

Left to Right: General Wijeyekoon meets Sri Lankan Sandhurst Cadets in Sandhurst 1961: 1) Yogendra Balaretnarajah (St John’s Jaffna, Armoured Corps)
2) Vijitha Wijesekara (Lived for a long time in UK Died in SL a few years ago. Champion athlete hurdles, pole vault, pentathlon)
3) Sena Silva (Major General, lives in California, USA)
4) Lalin Fernando (Gemunu Watch and Major General)
5) Walter Fernando (Wesley College Boxer and rugby player Gemunu Watch died in Australia
6) Ranjith (Kalu) Wijeratne -STC rugby and boxing,Sandhurst boxing -Sinha Regt
7) KWP Gunaratna “Gana Gune” Dharmaraja Kandy Artillery (lives in Seattle, USA)
8) GH (Gerry) de Silva SJC and Sandhurst cricket and swimming Gemunu Watch later Army Commander (around 1992-5)
9) Siri Wijegoonawardena Ananda and Sandhurst cricket and badminton, Sri Lanka Army Service Corps (served in both Volunteer Regiment as Adjutant and then in the Regular Regiment)
10) Major General H. W. G. Wijeyekoon, Cambridge and Lincoln’s Inn Barrister
11) S J Weerasena Dharmasoka Ambalangoda national level badminton player
12) Ivor Novello SJC First Anti Aircraft Regt Artillery.
13) Cecil Waidyaratne SBC and Sandhurst cricket -Armoured Corps. Super opening bowler at Sandhurst. Army Commander(around 1991-3)
14) Ranjit Wanigasundara Ananda College First Anti Aircraft Regt Artillery Retd as a major.
15) Satchy Ratnasabapathy SJC Artillery Retired as a Lt Col.
16) Sarath Jayasinghe (First Anti Aircraft Regt Artillery)

RMA Sandhusrt Cricket Team 1962

with Royal Corps of Tranport UK

Burma Company Fancy Dress Party

First Row Left to Right: 1) Gen Balaratnaraja’s London cab; 2) Balaratnaraja and Irene; 3) Inter-Unit Table Tennis Champion – shaking hands with Col Meeyadenia, Brigadier Kenneth Pereira extreme left

Second Row Left to Right: 1) Gen Attygalle’s visit to Aiyakachchi, Jaffna TAFII Camp in 1966; 2) General Attygalle leaving, to left of Gen Attygalle is Captain Gregory SLASC (V) Quarter Master, To the left of the QRM is Capt. Siri Wijetunga A.D.C, and on extreme right is Brig Maurice Jayaweera, later Army Chief of Staff.

Bottom 2nd and 3rd from Right: 1) Susiripala Weeasinghe and Siri Wijegoonewardena representing RMA Sandhurst at the Royal Naval Academy, Dartmouth for a badminton Competition. Others in picture are Thai naval cadets two of whom played for the Royal Naval Academy.

RMA Muster Roll 1960/61

British Army Identity Card

Group Photo SLASC (R) Officers 1974

_{1974: Front Row L to R: Capt. DSJ Jayaratna; Maj. W. Fernando; Lt. Col. ALA Perera; Lt. Col. DE De Silva; Lt Col(later Brig) PKB (Kenneth) Pereira CO; Lt Col S (Bomba) Musafer; Maj. KIMT Deen; Maj. S Wijegunawardene; Capt. T. Ratnasekera}

_{Middle Row: Capt. SV Jayakody; Lt. KKS Kannangara; Lt. AND Wijesuriya; WBGA Gunasekera; Capt PMKA Wickramaratna; 2/Lt WB Perera; Lt. HMN Krishnaratna; Lt. HP Jayasekera; Lt. DAMG Sarathchandra; Capt. K Attanayake}

_{Back Row: Lt. T Rajapakse; Capt. DB Nadarajasingham; Lt. PHL Perusinghe; 2/Lt OHM Fernando; Lt. AMRU Bandaratilleke; 2/Lt HMRB Thammita; Lt. AP Perera; Lt. BHM Wimalapala; 2/Lt EP Wijeynayake; Lt. PG Charles}

Farewell and Presentation of Gold Crowns