Former Army Commander, Rohan Daluwatte passes away

COLOMBO (News 1st) - A former Army commander and a decorated war hero General Rohan Daluwatta passed away this afternoon (August 27). He was 77 years old at the time of his demise. Military Spokesperson Brigadier Sumith Atapattu said General Daluwatte passed away while receiving treatment at a private hospital. Born on the 9th of May 1941 Rohan Daluwatta joined the Sri Lanka Army on the 14th of August 1961. He undertook his military training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, in the United Kingdom. General Daluwatte led Operation Riviresa against the LTTE to liberate the town of Jaffna. He served as Commander of the Sri Lanka Army from 1996 to 1998 and thereafter from the period from 1999 to 2002 he served as the Chief of Defence Staff. Following his retirement, Daluwatte served as the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Brazil. The final rites will be observed on Wednesday at the Borella Public Cemetery with full Military honors.