Rohitha Neil Akmeemana

Brigadier Rohitha Neil Akmeemana RSP, USP was an officer in the Sri Lanka Army attached to the Gemunu Watch Regiment. The last command held by him was as a Brigade Commander attached to the 54 Division during the SL army withdrawal from Elephant Pass in April, 2000.

Having joined the Sri Lanka Army as an officer cadet in 1976 he was attached to the 1st Battalion of the Gemunu Watch. While he was a 2/Lt he was a part of the regimental Cricket team which won the Army inter regimental Cricket tournament in 1979. During his military career spanning over 22 years, he held a number of battle commands in the 30 year old ethnic conflict battling the LTTE. He was appointed as the first commanding officer of the 9th Battalion, Gemunu Watch on 24 January 1994 and commanded the unit in the eastern theater of war until 1995. In 1995 he was appointed as the centre commandant at the Gemunu Watch regimental headquarters in Kuruwita.

He was killed in action during the Second Battle of Elephant Pass during the SLA's strategic withdrawal following a massive LTTE offensive in April, 2000. During the withdrawal his brigade acted as a rear guard alongside the Independent Special Forces brigade commanded by Major General Percy Fernando. After the withdrawal he died of dehydration on the 22nd of April at the Palali hospital. He was serving in the rank of Colonel as a Brigade commander and was posthumously promoted to the rank of Brigadier.

He was awarded the Rana Sura Padakkama and Uttama Seva Padakkama among other medals for gallantry and service.