The following tables present the ranks and insignia of the Sri Lanka Army. The ranks are similar to the British army officer ranks and the other ranks.

At its formation in 1949, the Ceylon Army adopted the rank structures of the British Army.

The highest rank in the Sri Lanka Army is Field Marshal, though the rank has no appointment in the army, it was first awarded in 2015 as an honorary rank to Sarath Fonseka for his war time service, the rank has been awarded for his whole life.[1]

The highest rank of a serving officer is that of Lieutenant General (three-star rank) which is held by the Commander of the Army. The rank of full general (four-star rank) is given to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), it is also awarded to the Commander of the Army on the day of his retirement (if the CDS is not appointed from the army). Commanders of the Army since the late 1980s have held the rank of lieutenant general with the exception of Sarath Fonseka[2] and Shavendra Silva who were promoted to full generals while serving as commander of the army, on the other hand, Shavendra Silva got the duty of the Chief of Defence Staff simultaneously holding the appointment of commander of the army.[3]

Officers

Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
 Sri Lanka Army[4]
Field marshal General Lieutenant general Major general Brigadier Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Second lieutenant Officer cadet
Special rank Held by the
Chief of Defence Staff (if not appointed from the navy/air force)		 Held by the army head The most junior general in the Sri Lanka Army; held by division commanders, principal staff officers at the army headquarters and other highly important appointments Not considered as general in the Sri Lanka Army Majors are junior officers in the army

Other Ranks

Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
 Sri Lanka Army[4][5]
 No insignia
Warrant officer class I Warrant officer class II Staff sergeant Sergeant Corporal/
Bombardier		 Lance corporal/
Lance bombardier		 Private
(or equivalent)

Retired officer's rank

An officer of or above rank of captain when retired from service, may retain his/her rank and indicate that he/she is a retired officer with the use of the abbreviation (Rtd) immediately after his/her name.[6]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "General Sarath Fonseka promoted Field Marshal". ft.lk. 20 March 2015.
  2. ↑ "Three Service Commanders promoted". The Government of Sri Lanka. 19 May 2009. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 8 July 2018.
  3. ↑ Lahiru Pothmulla (28 December 2020). "Shavendra Silva promoted to the rank of General". themorning.lk.
  4. 1 2 "Dress Regulation PDF - Part I" (PDF). army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. January 2019. pp. 10-4–10-11. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  5. ↑ "Other Ranks". army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
  6. ↑ "Download Officers Service Regulation PDF". army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 28 May 2021.

Bibliography

  • Army, Sri Lanka. (1st Edition - October 1999). "50 YEARS ON" - 1949–1999, Sri Lanka Army. ISBN 955-8089-02-8
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