Shantha Kottegoda

General Shantha Kottegoda, WWV, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP was a Sri Lankan Army officer and the Seventeenth Commander of the Sri Lankan Army from 1 July 2004 – 5 December 2005. He was the former Sri Lankan Ambassador to Brazil and current Sri Lanka Ambassador to Thailand.

Shantha Kottegoda has served the Sri Lankan Army for 29 years in throughout the island. He has been involved in both the 1971 and 1987–89 JVP Insurrection as well as the Sri Lankan Civil War, participating in major operations against the LTTE in the North and East of the country. Kottegoda has held numerous positions in the Army, among them he was Colonel of the Regiment of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry, General officer Commanding Division in Jaffna, General officer Commanding 51 Division in Vavuniya. He has been Director of Training, Director Military Intelligence and at present he is Director General, Training at Army Headquarters.

Early life
Kottegoda was born to S. H. P. Kottegoda and Sheela Kottegoda on 6 November 1949, in Kottegoda, Matara, in the Southern Province of Sri Lanka. Kottegoda started his schooling at St. Aloysius' College, Galle and then moving to S. Thomas' College, Mount Lavinia in Grade. He was active in many sports including cricket, athletics, hockey, rifle shooting, swimming, water polo and others, in which he excelled. He had become a cadet and by 1964 was Lance Sergeant of the junior Cadet Platoon, receiving the junior Cadet Prize for special merit that year. By 1969 he was promoted to the rank of Company Quarter Master Sergeant as well as being appointed a School Prefect, and Head Prefect of Buck House. It was this commitment to sport and discipline that prepared him for his career in the military.

Military career
Kottegoda enlisted into the Sri Lankan Army in February 1970, upon his completion of his Officer Cadet training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy, Diyatalawa, then called the Army Training Centre. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant of the 1st Battalion of the Ceylon Light Infantry in June 1971. One of his reasons to joining the Army was so that he could continue to play sports. Quoted as saying "Taking part in sports, I gained confidence, improved my leadership qualities and I was fit both physically and mentally. It helped me to take decisions quickly and promptly." He also said the training he gained from playing sport taught him of fair play, justice and discipline.

His rise through the military ranks saw that in 1973 he was promoted to Lieutenant, Captain 1976, Major 1980, Colonel 1991, Brigadier 1993 and Major General in 1998. From 2000 thru 2002, he the Security Forces Commander in Wanni. He served as Assistant & Deputy Director of the Counter Terrorist Division, National Intelligence Bureau and Commanded the Fourth Battalion Sri Lanka Light Infantry. In 2003 he was Duputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army for two months, October to November. On November 24, 2003 Kottegoda was appointed Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army. As Chief of Staff, Her Excellency The President appointed him the Overall Security Forces Commander.

Diplomatic career
Kottegoda served as Sri Lankan Ambassador to Brazil.

Personal life
Shantha Kottegoda is married to his wife Sonia, they have a son and a daughter named Asanka and Avanthi respectively.

Awards
His awards and decorations include the Gallantry Medals; Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya (WWV), Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP), Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), distinguished service medals; Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) and other notable medal campaign medals; Vadamarachchi Operation Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama.

Sri Lankan awards
In Order of Precedence
 * [[Image:Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya bar.gif|60px]] Weera Wickrama Vibhushanaya
 * [[Image:Rana Wickrama Padakkama Bar.PNG|60px]] Rana Wickrama Padakkama
 * [[Image:Rana Sura Padakkama bar.GIF|60px]] Rana Sura Padakkama
 * [[Image:Uttama Seva Padakkama Bar.gif|60px]] Uttama Seva Padakkama
 * [[Image:3by2white.svg|60px]] Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal
 * Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal
 * [[Image:3by2white.svg|60px]] President's Inauguration Medal
 * [[Image:3by2white.svg|60px]] 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal
 * [[Image:3by2white.svg|60px]] North and East Operations Medal
 * [[Image:3by2white.svg|60px]] Purna Bhumi Padakkama
 * [[Image:Vadamarachchi Operation Medal Bar.PNG|60px]] Vadamarachchi Operation Medal
 * [[Image:3by2white.svg|60px]] Riviresa Campaign Services Medal