Larry Wijeratne

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Larry Wijeratne
1950 - 14 May 1998
Place of death Jaffna, Sri Lanka
Allegiance Flag of Sri Lanka Sri Lanka
Service/branch Sri Lanka Army
Years of service 29
Rank Major General
Unit Sri Lanka Artillery
Commands held Commanding Officer 51-4 Brigade
Battles/wars 1971 Insurrection,
Insurrection 1987-89,
Sri Lankan Civil War
Awards Uttama Seva Padakkama,
Desha Putra Sammanaya

Major General Larry A.R. Wijeratne USP, SLA (1950 - 14 May 1998) was the former Commanding Officer of 51-4 Brigade based in Jaffna.

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[edit] Early life and family

He completed his education at Nugawela Central College. At school, he excelled in both studies, sports alike and was a Queen's Scout.

He was married to Colonel Indira Wijeratne of the Sri Lanka Army Legal Branch and father of two sons Baghaya and Dulanjaya.

[edit] Career

After leaving school he joined the army as a officer cadet and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Sri Lanka Artillery. During his career he held many positions within the army including that of instructor at the Army Training Centre, Diyatalawa (now the Sri Lanka Military Academy). He had been awarded the Uttama Seva Padakkama, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, North and East Operations Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, Operation Wadamarachchi Medal, Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, and 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal for his service during the course of his military career.

Brigadier Larry Wijeratne was appointed as commanding officer of 51-4 Brigade at Vadamarachchi in Jaffna in 1997. During this time he gained the respect of the people of Jaffna and was much loved by them.

[edit] Death

On the last day of his duty assignment he was killed by an LTTE suicide bomber at Velvetiturai in Jaffna on 14th May 1998, when he attended a Jaffna traders' felicitation lunch just before leaving on transfer as deputy commandant of the Kotelawela Defence Academy. Brigadier Larry Wijeratne was posthumously promoted to the rank of Major General

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