SriLanka, Aug. 2 -- Lieutenant General Nilantha Premaratne assumed duties as the 26th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army yesterday, succeeding Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, who concluded his tenure as the 25th Commander.

Before his appointment, Lieutenant General Premaratne served as the 69th Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, the Army's second-highest appointment, assuming duties in the post on June 1. Prior to that, he held the positions of Deputy Chief of Staff and Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Artillery.

An old boy of St. Servatius' College, Matara, Lieutenant General Premaratne joined the Regular Force of the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet on July 14, 1990 with Regular Intake 34. Following his training at the Sri L...