 | This article includes a list of general references, but it lacks sufficient corresponding inline citations. (September 2019) |
Shantha Kottegoda ශාන්ත කෝට්ටේගොඩ | |
|---|---|
| Born | November 6, 1949 Kottegoda, Southern Province, Dominion of Ceylon |
| Allegiance | Sri Lanka |
| Service |  Sri Lanka Army |
| Years of service | 1971–2005 |
| Rank |  General |
| Unit | Sri Lanka Light Infantry |
| Commands | Commander of the Army, Security Forces Headquarters – Wanni, 55 Division, 51 Division |
| Battles / wars | 1971 JVP Insurrection 1987–89 JVP Insurrection Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Awards | |
| Spouse(s) | Sonia |
| Other work | Ambassador to Brazil, Ambassador to Thailand, Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Defence |
General Shantha H.S. Kottegoda, WWV, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP (born November 6, 1949) is a retired senior Sri Lanka Army officer. He was the seventeenth commander of the Sri Lankan Army from 1 July 2004 – 5 December 2005. He had served as the Sri Lankan Ambassador to Brazil and Thailand. In April 2019, following the Easter Sunday bombings he was appointed as the permanent secretary to the Ministry of Defence.
Shantha Kottegoda has served the Sri Lankan Army for 35 years 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 chief of staff, colonel of the regiment of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry, general officer commanding 55 Division, 51 Division, 21 Division and served as director of military intelligence.[1]