Major General W.H.K.S Peiris RWP RSP VSV USP of the Gajaba Regiment has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army from December 16, 2023.
Prior to his new appointment, he served as the Commander, Security Forces – West.
Born on June 6, 1969, he is a product of St. Anthony’s Boys’ School in Panadura and Thurstan College, Colombo. During his schooling, he excelled in studies and athletics earning honour and fame for the school.
He joined the Army as an Officer Cadet on July 26, 1988 – Intake 30. Upon successful completion of the basic military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and was posted to the Gajaba Regiment (GR), an Infantry Regiment on June 9, 1990. After being elevated to subsequent ranks, he was promoted to the rank of Major General on May 7, 2021.
Throughout his military career, he has served in the Command, Staff, and Instructional appointments. He has pledged exceptional dedication towards assignments of combat duties during the humanitarian operation in the North and the East before May 2009.
His appointments include Platoon Commander, Officer Commanding, ADC to Major General S.T.T Jayasundara (Rtd), Adjutant – Army Training School, Operation and Training Company Commander, Security Officer at Base Ordnance Depot, Maradana, General Staff Officer II – 21 Infantry Division, Second in Command – 3 GR, Staff Officer II – Quarter Master General Branch, Staff Officer II – Directorate of Personal Administration, Staff Officer II – Transits Camp Anuradhapura, Security Coordinator – Ministry of Defence, Commanding Officer – 8 GR, Brigade Commander of 522 Infantry Brigade, Centre Commandant – Regimental HQ, Director – Directorate of Movement, General Officer Commanding of 52 Infantry Division, Military Advisor – United Nations Headquarters New York, Commander, Security Force – West and Colonel Commandant of Military Intelligence Corps.
Major General Peiris has followed many local and foreign courses, such as Platoon Commander’s Tactics Course, Battalion Support Weapon Course, Basic Parachute Course, Air Mobile Course, Young Officer Course – India, Junior Command Course – India, Capstone Exercise ‘Shanty Prayas’ – Nepal, Senior Command Course – India, Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies Comprehensive Crisis Management Seminar – Honolulu – Hawaii.
He has been adorned with gallantry awards – Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for his distinguished conduct in the face of the enemy and recipient of the Videsha Seva Padakkama (VSV) in recognition of his service.
Major General Peiris is also the Colonel Commandant of Military Intelligence Corps and is married to Mrs Dilupa Peiris and has three daughters.
