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{{short description|Senior Sri Lankan army general}}
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{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|honorific_prefix =
|honorific_prefix =[[Major-general (Sri Lanka)|Major General]]
|name =Y. Balaretnarajah
|name =Y. Balaretnarajah
|honorific_suffix =
|honorific_suffix =
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|image =
|image =
|caption =
|caption =
|birth_date ={{Birth date and age|1939|06|22}}
|birth_date ={{Birth date|1939|07|22}}
|death_date = <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} -->
|death_date ={{Death date and age|2022|05|29|1939|07|22}}
|birth_place =
|birth_place =
|death_place =
|death_place =
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|nickname =
|nickname =
|birth_name =
|birth_name =
|allegiance ={{flag|Sri Lanka|23px}}
|allegiance = Sri Lanka
|branch =[[Sri Lankan Army]]
|branch ={{army|Sri Lanka}}
|serviceyears =1959 – 1992
|serviceyears =1959 – 1992
|rank =[[Major General]]
|rank =[[Major-general (Sri Lanka)|Major General]]
|servicenumber =
|servicenumber =
|unit =
|unit =[[Sri Lanka Armoured Corps|Ceylon Armoured Corps]]
|commands =[[Chief of Staff]] of the Sri Lanka Army<br>Commandant of the [[Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force]]<br>[[General Officer Commanding|GOC]]<br>1 Division
|commands =[[Chief of Staff]], Sri Lanka Army<br>[[Commandant of the Volunteer Force]]<br>1 Division
|battles =[[1971 JVP Insurrection (Sri Lanka)|1971 Insurrection]]<br>[[Sri Lankan Civil War]]<br/>[[1987-89 JVP Insurrection (Sri Lanka)|Insurrection 1987-89]]
|battles =[[1971 JVP Insurrection (Sri Lanka)|1971 Insurrection]]<br>[[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]]<br/>[[1987-89 JVP Insurrection (Sri Lanka)|Insurrection 1987-89]]
|battles_label =
|battles_label =
|awards =[[File:Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya bar.svg|20px]] [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya]]<br> [[File:Uttama Seva Padakkama Bar.gif|20px]] [[Uttama Seva Padakkama]]<br> [[File:3by2white.svg|20px]] [[Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal]]<br> [[File:Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal.png|20px]] [[Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal]]<br> [[File:Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service.jpg|20px]] [[Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal]]<br> [[File:3by2white.svg|20px]] [[President's Inauguration Medal]]<br> [[File:3by2white.svg|20px]] [[Purna Bhumi Padakkama]]
|awards =[[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya]]<br>[[Uttama Seva Padakkama]]
|relations =
|relations =
|laterwork =
|laterwork =
|signature =
|signature =
}}
}}
[[Major General]] '''Y. Balaretnarajah''', [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]], [[National Defence College, India|ndc]], [[Sri Lanka Armoured Corps|SLAC]] is a [[Sri Lanka]]n [[commissioned officer|military leader]], he was the [[Chief of Staff]] of the [[Sri Lanka Army]]; [[Commandant]] of the [[Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force]]; [[General Officer Commanding|GOC]], 1 Division; [[Brigade Commander]] of the Armoured Brigade, 21 Brigade, 24 Brigade and Commander, [[Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna|Security Forces, Jaffna]].
[[Major General]] '''Y. Balaretnarajah''', [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]], [[National Defence College, India|ndc]] is a retired [[Sri Lanka]]n army officer. He had served as [[Chief of Staff]] of the [[Sri Lanka Army]], [[Commandant of the Volunteer Force]] and [[Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna|Commander - Jaffna Security Forces]]. He has commanded the 1 Division, Armoured Brigade, 21 Brigade and 24 Brigade.


== Education ==
== Education ==
Born July 22, 1939 he was educated at the [[St. John's College, Jaffna]] and at the [[Jaffna College]]. Joining the [[Ceylon Army]] in November 1959, he received his basic officer training at the [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]]. He had completed the Armour Young Officers Course of the [[British Army]] at the Royal Armoured Corps Training Centre and Advance Armour Officers Course of the [[Indian Army]]. He is also a graduate of [[National Defence College, India]].
Born July 22, 1939 he was educated at [[St. John's College, Jaffna]] and at the [[Jaffna College]]. Joining the [[Ceylon Army]] in November 1959 and he received his basic officer training at [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst|Sandhurst]]. He completed the Armour Young Officers Course of the [[British Army]] at the Royal Armoured Corps Training Centre, and Advance Armour Officers Course of the [[Indian Army]]. Later he graduated from the [[National Defence College, India]].


== Military career ==
== Military career ==
After completion of basic officer training Balaretnarajah commissioned as a [[Second Lieutenant]] in the [[Ceylon Armoured Corps]] on December 21, 1961. He served as a Troop Leader of the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment, Officer Instructor at the Army Training Centre, Diyatalawa and a [[Staff Officer]] at the [[Army Headquarters (Sri Lanka)|Army Headquarters]] and Northern Command Headquarters during the [[1971 JVP Insurrection (Sri Lanka)|1971 Insurrection]] before returning to the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment as a Squadron Commander with the rank of [[Captain (OF-2)|Captain]]. Promoted to the rank of [[Major]] he was the Deputy Commandant, Army Training Centre, Diyatalawa before becoming a Staff Officer in the Logistics Command with the rank of Leiutenant Colonel.
After completion of basic officer training, Balaretnarajah was commissioned as a [[second lieutenant]] in the [[Ceylon Armoured Corps]] on December 21, 1961. He served as a troop leader of the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment, officer instructor at the [[Sri Lanka Military Academy|Army Training Centre, Diyatalawa]] and a [[staff officer]] at the [[Army Headquarters (Sri Lanka)|Army Headquarters]] and [[Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna|Northern Command Headquarters]] during the [[1971 JVP Insurrection (Sri Lanka)|1971 Insurrection]] before returning to the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment as a squadron commander with the rank of [[Captain (OF-2)|captain]]. Promoted to the rank of [[Major (rank)|major]], he was appointed deputy commandant at [[Sri Lanka Military Academy|Diyatalawa]] before becoming a staff officer in the Logistics Command with the rank of [[lieutenant colonel]].


As a colonel he headed the Logistics Command as Director Logistics and was promoted to the rank of Brigadier in 1986. With the out set of the [[Sri Lankan Civil War]] and the [[insurrection 1987-89]] he raised and commanded the 24 Brigade and thereafter was appointed brigade commander of the 21 brigade based out of Jaffna, before becoming the Commander, Security Forces, [[Jaffna]]. During this period he also raised and commanded the armoured brigade and functioned as the first armoured brigade commander.
As a colonel he headed the Logistics Command as Director Logistics and was promoted to the rank of brigadier in 1986. With the outset of the [[Sri Lankan civil war|Sri Lankan Civil War]] and the [[1987–89 JVP insurrection|second JVP insurrection]] he raised and commanded the 24 Brigade based out of Puttalam, and then appointed brigade commander of the 21 brigade based out of Jaffna, before becoming the commander, [[Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna]] (SFHQ-J). During this period he also raised and commanded the armoured brigade.


In 1989, he was promoted to the rank of [[Major General]] and was appointed as the general officer commanding ([[General Officer Commanding|GOC]]), the Sri Lanka Army's 1 Division. Thereafter he was appointed as Commandant, [[Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force]] before becoming the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army. He had also served as the [[Regimental Commander]] of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps. He retired from the army with the rank of Major General, in October 1992. He was the President of the Armour Veteran's Association and Vice Patron of the St Johns College Jaffna Old Boys Association South Sri Lanka.
In 1989, he was promoted to the rank of [[major general]] and was appointed the general officer commanding ([[General Officer Commanding|GOC]])- 1 Division. He was then appointed commandant, [[Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force]] before becoming the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, also serving as the [[regimental commander]] of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps.


Balaretnarajah retired from the army with the rank of major general in October 1992. He was the president of the Armour Veteran's Association and Vice Patron of the St Johns College Jaffna Old Boys Association South Sri Lanka.
Major General Balaretnarajah has been awarded the service medals [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama]], [[Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal]], [[Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal]], [[Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal]], [[President's Inauguration Medal]], and the [[Purna Bhumi Padakkama]].

==Personal life==
Balaretnarajah was married to Sarojini (née Somasundaram), and had three children- Anusha, Arjuna and Brahman.<ref>{{cite web|title=BALARETNARAJAH SAROJINI|url=http://www.srilankanobituaries.com/obituaries/balaretnarajah-sarojini/|website=Srilankanobituaries.com|publisher=Sri Lankan Obituaries|access-date=29 August 2017}}</ref> He died May, 27, 2022 at the age of 82.<ref>{{cite web |title=Military Honours Salute Late Major General Y Balarathna Raja (Retd) During Final Journey |url=https://www.army.lk/news/military-honours-salute-late-major-general-y-balarathna-raja-retd-during-final-journey |website=Sri Lankan Army |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
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== External links ==
== External links ==
*[http://www.armouredcorps.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60:major-general-y-balaretnarajah-vsv-usp-ndc&catid=7:retaired-senior-officers&Itemid=4 Major General Y Balaretnarajah VSV USP ndc]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110904091745/http://www.armouredcorps.lk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=60:major-general-y-balaretnarajah-vsv-usp-ndc&catid=7:retaired-senior-officers&Itemid=4 Major General Y Balaretnarajah VSV USP ndc]


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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
|NAME = Balaretnarajah, Y.
|ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
|SHORT DESCRIPTION = Sri Lankan Army general
|DATE OF BIRTH = July 22, 1939
|PLACE OF BIRTH =
|DATE OF DEATH =
|PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Balaretnarajah, Y.}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Balaretnarajah, Y.}}
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:1939 births]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan generals]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan major generals]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan Tamil military personnel]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan Tamil military personnel]]
[[Category:Sri Lankan Tamil people]]
[[Category:Alumni of Jaffna College]]
[[Category:Alumni of Jaffna College]]
[[Category:Alumni of St. John's College, Jaffna]]
[[Category:Alumni of St. John's College, Jaffna]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]]
[[Category:Sri Lanka Armoured Corps officers]]

Latest revision as of 17:39, 22 October 2024

Major General

Y. Balaretnarajah
Born(1939-07-22)July 22, 1939
DiedMay 29, 2022(2022-05-29) (aged 82)
AllegianceSri Lanka
Service / branch Sri Lanka Army
Years of service1959 – 1992
RankMajor General
UnitCeylon Armoured Corps
CommandsChief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army
Commandant of the Volunteer Force
1 Division
Battles / wars1971 Insurrection
Sri Lankan Civil War
Insurrection 1987-89
Awards Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya
Uttama Seva Padakkama
Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal
Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal
Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
President's Inauguration Medal
Purna Bhumi Padakkama

Major General Y. Balaretnarajah, VSV, USP, ndc is a retired Sri Lankan army officer. He had served as Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, Commandant of the Volunteer Force and Commander - Jaffna Security Forces. He has commanded the 1 Division, Armoured Brigade, 21 Brigade and 24 Brigade.

Education

[edit]

Born July 22, 1939 he was educated at St. John's College, Jaffna and at the Jaffna College. Joining the Ceylon Army in November 1959 and he received his basic officer training at Sandhurst. He completed the Armour Young Officers Course of the British Army at the Royal Armoured Corps Training Centre, and Advance Armour Officers Course of the Indian Army. Later he graduated from the National Defence College, India.

Military career

[edit]

After completion of basic officer training, Balaretnarajah was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Ceylon Armoured Corps on December 21, 1961. He served as a troop leader of the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment, officer instructor at the Army Training Centre, Diyatalawa and a staff officer at the Army Headquarters and Northern Command Headquarters during the 1971 Insurrection before returning to the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment as a squadron commander with the rank of captain. Promoted to the rank of major, he was appointed deputy commandant at Diyatalawa before becoming a staff officer in the Logistics Command with the rank of lieutenant colonel.

As a colonel he headed the Logistics Command as Director Logistics and was promoted to the rank of brigadier in 1986. With the outset of the Sri Lankan Civil War and the second JVP insurrection he raised and commanded the 24 Brigade based out of Puttalam, and then appointed brigade commander of the 21 brigade based out of Jaffna, before becoming the commander, Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna (SFHQ-J). During this period he also raised and commanded the armoured brigade.

In 1989, he was promoted to the rank of major general and was appointed the general officer commanding (GOC)- 1 Division. He was then appointed commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force before becoming the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, also serving as the regimental commander of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps.

Balaretnarajah retired from the army with the rank of major general in October 1992. He was the president of the Armour Veteran's Association and Vice Patron of the St Johns College Jaffna Old Boys Association South Sri Lanka.

Personal life

[edit]

Balaretnarajah was married to Sarojini (née Somasundaram), and had three children- Anusha, Arjuna and Brahman.[1] He died May, 27, 2022 at the age of 82.[2]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "BALARETNARAJAH SAROJINI". Srilankanobituaries.com. Sri Lankan Obituaries. Retrieved 29 August 2017.
  2. ^ "Military Honours Salute Late Major General Y Balarathna Raja (Retd) During Final Journey". Sri Lankan Army. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
[edit]
Military offices
Preceded by
 Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army
1992 		Succeeded by
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