Jagath Dias Explained

Honorific Prefix:Major General
Jagath Dias
ජගත් ඩයස්
Honorific Suffix:WWV, RWP, RSP, USP
Birth Date:December 26, 1960
Serviceyears:1980–2015
Rank: Major General
Allegiance:Sri Lanka
Commands:Chief of Staff of the Army,
, General Officer Commanding, 56 Division
General Officer Commanding, 57 Division,
Commander of Special Forces Brigade,
Unit:Gajaba Regiment
Battles:Eelam War I, Eelam War II, Eelam War III, Eelam War IV, Sri Lankan Civil War
Laterwork:Deputy Chief of Mission to the Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin

Major General Jagath Dias, WWV, RWP, RSP, USP (born December 26, 1960) was a Sri Lankan general, who served as the Chief of Staff[1] [2] of the Sri Lanka Army. He was the General Officer Commanding, 57 Division and 56 Division. He was the Sri Lankan Deputy Ambassador to Germany, Switzerland and the Vatican.[3] [4] [5] [6]

Education

Educated at Ananda College, he is a graduate of the National Defence College, India.

Military career

Dias enlisted in the army after completing his schooling on 11 August 1980 undergoing officer training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy at Diyatalawa; and commissioned to the 1 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment as a Second Lieutenant on 27 February 1982. Afterwards he received an Inter Regimental transfer to Gajaba Regiment and went on to serve as the Commanding Officer of the 10th Gajaba Battalion and later served the Officiating Commandant at the Regimental Headquarters of the Gajaba Regiment. He was promoted to the ranks of captain in 1986, major in 1994, lieutenant colonel in 1995 and had undertaken the Young Officers' Course, Senior Command Course, MCC Course, CIMIC Course and the Senior Crisis Management Seminar.

In 2000 he was promoted to colonel and was appointed Officiating Commander of Special Forces Brigade and Officiating Commander, 516 Brigade till 2001. In 2001 he was appointed Officiating Inspector Infantry, Army Headquarters till 2003. He was promoted to brigadier in 2005 and major general on 18 February 2008.

During his military career he held many appointments. The include; Adjutant General (2012–2014), Deputy Chief of Mission to the Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin (2009–2011), General Officer Commanding 57 Division (2007–2009), General Officer Commanding 56 Division (2006–2007), Commander 233 Brigade (2005–2006), Commandant, Infantry Training Centre, Officiating Commander for 534 Brigade (2003–2004), Officiating Inspector Infantry, Army Headquarters (2001–2003), Officiating Commander, 516 Brigade (2000–2001), Coordinating Officer Ariyalai, Officiating Commander, 551 Brigade, Commander 553 Brigade, Officiating Colonel GS, Directorate of Operations, Army Headquarters, Officiating Commandant Gajaba Regiment Regimental Headquarters, Commanding Officer, 10 Gajaba Regiment and many other appointments.

Foreign assignments reported by the military include: Pakistan,Qatar, Oman, US, India, Czech Republic, Turkey, China, Russian Federation,Australia, Germany & South Korea.

Year Position Held
2000 Officiating Commander of Special Forces Brigade
2000-2001 Officiating Commander, 516 Brigade
2001-2003 Officiating Inspector Infantry, Army Headquarters
2003-2004 Commandant, Infantry Training Center, Officiating Commander, 534 Brigade
2005-2006 Commander 233 Brigade (note: this is during the final war in the East)
2006-2007 General Officer Commanding 56 Division
2007 Feb 57 Division created (consisting of 571, 572, 573 Brigades and then in October 2008 the 574 Brigade was added)
2007-2009 Appointed General Officer Commanding 57 Division
2009-2011 Deputy Chief of Mission to the Sri Lanka Embassy in Berlin (Also accredited to Switzerland and the Vatican)
2012–2014 Adjutant General for the Sri Lankan Army
2014 Jan Security Force Commander Mullaitivu
2015-2016 46th Chief of Staff of the Army

Family

He is married to Sharanki and they have two sons and a daughter.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Army Yet To Find Chief Of Staff After Jagath Dias Retirement: 24 Major Generals To Leave Next Year.. asianmirror.lk. 26 February 2016.
  2. Web site: Jagath Dias new Army Chief of Staff. Daily Mirror . 14 May 2015 . 22 October 2015.
  3. Web site: Criminal complaint against Major General Jagath Dias . BBC . 4 August 2011 . 23 August 2014.
  4. Web site: Army closes in on key Jaffna pass . BBC . 5 January 2009 . 23 August 2014.
  5. Web site: Maj. Gen. Dias denied Aussie visa over C-4 allegations . Island . December 5, 2013 . 23 August 2014.
  6. Web site: Dias refused of participation in ICRC meet for alleged war crimes. Tamilnet . 31 October 2013 . 23 August 2014.