General Rank of the Sri Lanka Army
The rank of General (abbreviated as Gen.) represents the highest attainable full general rank within the Sri Lanka Army. Established as a direct equivalent to the British military rank of general, it is classified as a four-star rank. While it is the highest pay grade and the highest rank defined under the Army Act, it is distinct from the ceremonial rank of Field Marshal.
In practice, the rank of full general is not automatically granted. It is typically held by the Chief of the Defence Staff (if appointed from the army) or awarded as a ceremonial honor to the Commander of the Army upon their retirement.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]
Key Facts
- Rank Level: Four-star rank, higher than Lieutenant General and lower than Field Marshal.
- Equivalents: Admiral (Navy) and Air Chief Marshal (Air Force).
- Legal Basis: Defined under the Army Act of 1949.
- Appointment: Often awarded upon retirement or held by the Chief of the Defence Staff.
- Insignia: Features a crossed sword and baton, a pip, and the Sri Lanka emblem.
Historical Evolution
The rank of general was the highest defined when the Ceylon Army was formed under the Army Act of 1949. Initially, the army was led by British officers holding the rank of brigadier. The first Ceylonese officer to command the army, Anton Muttukumaru, reached the rank of major general in 1958.
A shift in command structure occurred in 1974 when Sepala Attygalle was promoted to lieutenant general. Since then, it has become customary for all serving commanders of the army to hold the rank of lieutenant general upon appointment.
The transition to the full rank of general has seen several milestones:
- 1977: Sepala Attygalle became the first officer promoted to general upon retirement.
- 1980: Former Prime Minister Sir John Kotelawala was appointed to the honorary rank of general of the Volunteer Force.
- 1986: Cyril Ranatunga became the first regular officer promoted to general without having served as the commander of the army.
- 1991: Ranjan Wijeratne was the sole individual to receive the rank posthumously.
- 2009 & 2013: Sarath Fonseka and Jagath Jayasuriya became the first officers to hold the rank of general while actively serving as commander of the army.
- 2020: Shavendra Silva was promoted to general while concurrently serving as both commander of the army and chief of the defence staff.
Rank Insignia and Dress Regulations
The insignia for general officers is centered around the crossed sword and baton. The specific rank is distinguished by the additions above this emblem: a Major-General wears a pip; a Lieutenant-General wears the Sri Lanka emblem; and a full General wears both the pip and the Sri Lanka emblem.
Gorget patches (decorative collar patches) vary by dress code:
- General Officer Pattern: Features a gold/silver oak leaf chain of two leaves and four stars on a scarlet background with a gold/silver button. This is worn on Dress No 2A, 4, 5, 5A, 6, 6A, 6B, 7, and 8.
- Large/Medium Patterns: Features gold braided bullion wire with three oak leaves on a scarlet background. This is worn by major generals and above for Dress No 1, No 3, and 3A.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]
Comparison of Senior Army Ranks
| Rank | Star Level | Equivalent (Navy) | Equivalent (Air Force) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Field Marshal | Ceremonial | N/A | N/A |
| General | 4-Star | Admiral | Air Chief Marshal |
| Lieutenant General | 3-Star | Vice Admiral | Air Marshal |
| Major General | 2-Star | Rear Admiral | Air Vice Marshal |
Notable Generals
Several distinguished individuals have held the rank of general, including:
- General Rohan Daluwatte: 14th Commander of the Army, Overall Operational Commander, and Chief of Defence Staff.
- General Shavendra Silva: 23rd Commander of the Army and Chief of Defence Staff.
- General Kamal Gunaratne: Former Secretary to the Ministry of Defence and State Ministry of National Security and Disaster Management.
- General Anuruddha Ratwatte: Cabinet Minister.
- General John Kotelawala: 3rd Prime Minister of Ceylon.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a General and a Field Marshal in the Sri Lanka Army?
General is the highest rank defined under the Army Act and the highest pay grade. Field Marshal is a higher, ceremonial rank created in 2015.
Who typically holds the rank of General?
The rank is usually held by the Chief of the Defence Staff (if from the army) or awarded to the Commander of the Army upon their retirement.
How is a General's insignia different from a Lieutenant General's?
While both use the crossed sword and baton, a General's insignia includes both a pip and the Sri Lanka emblem, whereas a Lieutenant General only has the Sri Lanka emblem.
When was the rank of General first established in Sri Lanka?
The rank was defined as the highest rank under the Army Act of 1949 during the formation of the Ceylon Army.
Can an officer be promoted to General without being the Army Commander?
Yes, though rare. For example, Cyril Ranatunga was promoted to general in 1986 without having served as the commander of the army.