Lionel Balagalle

General Lionel Piyananda Balagalle, (15 June 1947 – 26 October 2023), was a senior Sri Lanka Army officer, who served as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army and the Chief of the Defence Staff. He is known for formalising military intelligence operations within the Sri Lanka Army, having founded the Directorate of Military Intelligence and the Military Intelligence Corps.

Early life and education Born in Colombo, both Balagalle's parents were teachers. Having received his primary education in a rural school in Ratnapura, he attended Ananda College for his secondary education. He excelled in sports winning college colours. He was a senior school prefect and a cadet.

Military career Artillery officer Balagalle studied medicine before he joined the Ceylon Army as an Officer Cadet on 5 April 1965. Receiving his basic training at the Army Training Centre, Diyatalawa, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the 4th Regiment, Ceylon Artillery on 5 April 1967 and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant February 1969. As a troop commander, he took part in counterinsurgency operations in the 1971 JVP Insurrection and later attended the Indian Army School of Artillery in Deolali from September 1971 to February 1972 for the Artillery Young Officers Course (Field/CB), having been promoted to the rank of captain in October 1971.

Higher command Balagalle had served as Brigade Commander of the 4 Brigade and the Artillery Brigade as well as Area Headquarters Wanni (1994). From January 1996 to December 1996, he attended the National Security and Strategic Studies Course at the National Defence College and was promoted to the rank of Major General in April 1996. Balagalle served as General Officer Commanding, Task Force 2 (for Elephant Pass, Pooneryn, Mullaitivu and Vavuniya areas), 51 Division. He then served as Commander Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna and Commander Security Forces Headquarters – Wanni. In latter role, he conducted several offensive operations code named Rivibala (1998) and Ranagosha 1-4 (1999). Returning to Army Headquarters, he served as Deputy Chief of Staff and thereafter Chief of Staff of the Army. He was also the Colonel Commandant of the Military Intelligence Corps (1997–1998). He was the first serving Army Commander in the country to hold the post of CDS. During his tenure, he was the first foreign military chief to visit the line of control after the ceasefire agreement between Pakistan and India was signed and as well attended the sixth Chiefs of Defence Staff Conference in Hawaii and the fifth Chiefs of Defence Conference in Singapore.

Decorations His military decorations included the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) and the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP) for gallantry; the distinguished service medals, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV), Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP), Videsha Seva Padakkama and the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal and Clasp; campaign medals Vadamarachchi Operation Medal, Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama, and the North and East Operations Medal with Clasp. He also received the President's Inauguration Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Centenary Medal.

His badges include: Sri Lanka Artillery Regimental Identification Badge, Instructor in Gunnery Badge and the Sri Lanka Artillery Training School Badge.