Major Deshan Karunathilake

Major Deshan Karunathilake is from the Mechanized Infantry Regiment. He acquired his initial studies from Galewela Central College. On 10 March 2008, he Joined Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet to Sri Lanka Military Academy. After completion of the basic military training at Sri Lanka Military Academy (SLMA) and Bangladesh Military Academy (BMA), he was commissioned to the rank of Second Lieutenant on 09 July 2009 and posted to the Mechanized Infantry and subsequently posted to 4^th Battalion Mechanized Infantry Regiment.

During his tour of duty, he has hold following important appointments:

Command Appointments

• Platoon Commander – 4^th Battalion Mechanized Infantry Regiment
• Officer Commanding – 4^th Battalion Mechanized Infantry Regiment

Staff Appointments

• Adjutant – 4^th Battalion Mechanized Infantry Regiment
• General Staff Offcer III (Training/Operations) – 143 Infantry Brigade
• Staff Officer III (Logistic) – Mechanized Infantry Regimental Centre
• Staff Officer II (Logistic) – Mechanized Infantry Regimental Centre
• Brigade Major – 663 Infantry Brigade

Instructor Appointments

• Squadron Commander – Kotelawala Defence University.
• Instructor for the Special Leadership packages conducted to Graduates and University Students.

In recognition of his valuable and unblemished service rendered to the Army/ Country, he has awarded with following medals.

• North Humanitarian Operation Medal
• Purna Bhumi Padakkama
• North and East Operation Medal
• 75^th Anniversary of Independence Medal
• Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
• Sewabhimani Medal
• Service Medal

• Master in Defence and Strategic Studies  – Kotelawala Defence University, Sri Lanka.
• Passed Staff Course (psc) – Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sri Lanka.
• Qualified in Buddhist Dharmacharya exam.

Major Deshan Karunathilake has qualified in following local and overseas courses:

Local Courses:

• Infantry Young Officers’ Course at CRTS/ ITC/ ATS in 2009.
• Mechanized Infantry Young Officers’ Course at Armoured Corps Training Centre in 2009/2010.
• Regimental Signal Officer Course at Signal Training School in 2011.
• Junior Staff Course at Army War College in 2013.
• Battalion Support Weapons Course at Infantry Training Centre in 2015.
• Junior Command Course at Army War College in 2019.
• Defence Services Command and Staff Course at DSCSC in 2021.

Overseas Courses:

• Mortar Course at India in 2018.
• Combat Team Commander Course at India in 2023.

• Defence Delegation International Collaboration Visit – Russian Federation in 2021

During his career of 16 years, Maj Deshan Karunathilake has attended for following seminars.

• Annual Conference and International Seminar of Jaffna University on Hypotheses of Cultivating Fresh Water in the Jaffan Lagoons in 2014.
• IHL Seminar for Senior Officers at DSCSC in Dec 2021

The areas of interest of the Senior Officer are as follows.

• Research on “Implication of Externalities of Regimental Fundraising Projects on the Image of Sri Lanka Army” in 2021.
• Interest on ‘‘Sri Lankan History’, ’Military History” and “Current Affairs”.