Sepala Attygalle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
General Deshamanya
Don Sepala Attygalle
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born | 14 October 1921 |
| Died | 15 January 2001 |
| Allegiance | Sri Lanka |
| Service/ |
|
| Years of service | 1942–1946, 1949-1977 |
| Rank |  General |
| Service number | 0/50010 |
| Unit |
|
| Commands held |
|
| Battles/wars |
|
| Awards | |
| Other work | Permanent Secretary Ministry of Defence, Sri Lankan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom |
.jpg){kind=small}
General Deshamanya Don Sepala Attygalle (born October 14, 1921 – died January 15, 2001) was an important Sri Lankan army officer. He also worked as a government official and a diplomat. He was the longest-serving Commander of the Sri Lankan Army from 1967 to 1977. Later, he became the top official in the Ministry of Defence. He also served as Sri Lanka's High Commissioner (a type of ambassador) to the United Kingdom.
General Attygalle is famous for successfully handling a major uprising in 1971. He was the first Sri Lankan army officer to reach the highest rank of full general. People also call him the "Father of the Armoured Corps" because he helped create it. He was even an Equerry (a special assistant) to Queen Elizabeth II during her coronation in 1953.
Contents
Early Life and School
Don Sepala Attygalle went to Royal College, Colombo. This is a well-known school in Sri Lanka. He was a very good student and leader there. He became the Head Prefect, which is like the main student leader. He was also good at sports, winning awards in athletics and rugby. He was also a Senior Sergeant in the school's Cadet Contingent. After school, he went to the University College, Colombo.
His Military Journey
Joining the Army During World War II
When World War II started in 1940, Attygalle left his university studies. He joined the Ceylon Defense Force, which was growing at that time. On November 15, 1940, he became a second lieutenant in the Ceylon Light Infantry. He trained at Diyatalawa and won a special award called the "sword of honour" in 1941. He then got more training in India. In 1943, he was promoted to Captain. He left the army on March 9, 1946. He was also the Defence Services 100-meter running champion until 1944.
Working for the Government
After the war ended, he worked for the government. He was an Assistant Controller for textiles. Then he helped control exports and imports.
Serving in the Ceylon Army
The new Ceylon Army was formed on October 10, 1949. Attygalle joined it as a regular officer. He became a lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Ceylon Light Infantry. On the same day, October 22, 1949, he was promoted to captain. He then worked at the Army Headquarters, Ceylon.
In July 1950, he became a special assistant (called an Extra Aide-de-camp) to Lord Soulbury. Lord Soulbury was the Governor General of Ceylon. On January 1, 1952, Attygalle was promoted to major. He continued to work at the Army Headquarters.
In 1953, he went to the Staff College, Camberley in the United Kingdom. This college trains army officers for important leadership roles. On June 2, 1953, he had a very special role. He was an Equerry to Queen Elizabeth II at her coronation ceremony. After his training, he worked with a British army unit. He also served as a military contact for Sri Lanka's High Commissioner in the UK. When he returned, he helped form a new company in the Ceylon Light Infantry.
Creating the Armoured Corps
In 1955, Major D.S. Attygalle was given an important job. He was asked to create a special unit for scouting and quick movement. On October 10, 1955, he formed the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron. This was the start of the Cavalry Arm (units that use vehicles for speed) in the Ceylon Army. He became its first commander.
In December 1955, he led a special mission to Burma (now Myanmar). They presented a gift of a sacred Bodhi tree sapling. This was for the Buddha Jayanthi celebrations. On October 1, 1958, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel. He became the first commander of the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment. This unit grew and became the main part of the Ceylon Armoured Corps. He is known as the "Father of the Armoured Corps" for this reason. He led this regiment until March 1964.
Rising Through the Ranks
On December 1, 1962, he was promoted to colonel. He took on the role of Commander of the Army Force at Panagoda. In June 1963, he visited Yugoslavia. There, he took a special training course in guerilla warfare.
He was then appointed as Commander of the Task Force Anti Illicit Immigration in August 1963. This task force worked to stop illegal immigration. On March 21, 1964, he became the Chief of Staff of the army. This is a very important leadership position. In 1966, he attended the Imperial Defence College. This is a top college for defense studies. After that, he continued his duties as Chief of Staff.
Leading the Army
On September 22, 1967, he was promoted to Brigadier. He became the Acting Commander of the Army. Soon after, on October 1, 1967, Attygalle was promoted to Major General. He was then officially confirmed as the Commander of the Army.
Under his leadership, the army successfully handled the 1971 Insurrection. This was a difficult time for the country. The army brought the situation under control within two months. For his great service, he was promoted to lieutenant general on April 4, 1974. He was the first officer in the Sri Lanka Army to hold this high rank. On October 13, 1977, he retired after serving ten years as Commander. On his retirement day, he was promoted to the rank of General. This made him the first Sri Lankan army officer to become a full general. He was also the longest-serving Commander of the Army.
After His Army Career
After retiring from the army, General Attygalle continued to serve his country. In October 1977, he became an Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Defence. He also worked as the Chief Co-ordinating Authority there.
Secretary of Defence
In the early 1980s, Sri Lanka faced more challenges. General Attygalle was appointed as the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence on August 15, 1983. He was the top advisor on national defense to the President of Sri Lanka. He played a big part during a military operation called Vadamarachchi Operation. During this time, he was also the first chairman of Air Ports and Aviation Services. He also chaired Air Lanka, the national airline. He stepped down from his role in the Ministry of Defence on February 16, 1990.
High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
After his time as Secretary of Defence, he became the High Commissioner for Sri Lanka in the United Kingdom. This means he represented Sri Lanka in the UK. He served in this role from March 1990 to August 1993.
His Passing
General Don Sepala Attygalle passed away on January 15, 2001, in Colombo. He had been ill for a short time. His military funeral was held on January 17 at the General Cemetery, Borella.
His Family
He was married to Brighty Attygalle, who passed away in July 2010. They had one son named Suraj. They also had two grandsons, Damin and Shaminda. His brother was Dr. Gamini M. Attygalle, a well-known doctor.
Awards and Honors
General Attygalle received many awards and honors during his life.
- He was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (MVO) by Queen Elizabeth II in 1954. This honor was later upgraded to Lieutenant (LVO) in 1984.
- For his service in World War II, he received the Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939–1945. He also received the Efficiency Medal (Ceylon).
- For his service in the Sri Lankan Army, he received several medals. These include the Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal and the Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal.
- He also received the Vadamarachchi Operation Medal for his work as Secretary of Defence.
- He was promoted to the rank of general when he retired in 1977.
- In 1990, the President of Sri Lanka awarded him the title Deshamanya. This is a high national honor.
- He also received an honorary Doctor of Literature degree from the University of Sri Lanka.
.png){kind=small}
See Also
- Sri Lanka Armoured Corps
- Sri Lankan Non Career Diplomats
- List of Sri Lankan non-career Permanent Secretaries
