The Demise of the First Chancellor of the General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University
General Cyril Ranatunga passed away on 16th June 2021 at the age of 91. Born and bred in the Central Province of Sri Lanka, General Ranatunga, a former Sylvestrian, joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1950 as an officer cadet. During his illustrious military and civil administration career, General Cyril Ranatunga had held many important positions. He had been an iconic figure in the Sri Lanka military, and he is considered as one of the pioneers of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps.
General Cyril Ranatunga joined the Ceylon Army in 1949 as an Officer Cadet and received his basic military training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He had been observed as an outstanding figure since the day he joined the Ceylon Army and been fortunate to learn growing military trends in local and international warfare.
He has held a number of vital and important appointments in Military, Diplomatic and Administrative fields. Having served more than 38 years in the Sri Lanka Army, General Cyril Ranatunga was appointed as the first Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence Academy on 9th November 1990 and he served KDA till 8th November 1995. Vice Chancellor, the Staff and the students of KDU convey their deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences to the family of Late General Cyril Ranatunga.