In recognition of his outstanding military leadership for the nation and commitment to preserve global peace, General Mahesh Senanayake (Rtd) RWP RSP VSV USP USACGSC, former Commander of the Sri Lanka Army has been inducted into the United States Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC) International Hall of Fame at Fort Leavenworth.
General Senanayake becomes the first-ever Sri Lankan Army officer to receive such an international honour. Unfortunately, Hall of Fame inductees were unable to attend the ceremony physically due to Covid restrictions. In addition to being inducted into the Hall of Fame, inductees are presented a CGSC certificate of honour by the Military Order of the World Wars and a Life Constituent Certificate by the Foundation. General Senanayake’s certificate and memorabilia will be sent to the US Embassy in Colombo for collection.
The CGSC International Hall of Fame was established in 1973 by the college, the Greater Kansas City Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars and the CGSC Foundation.
To be nominated for the International Hall of Fame, an officer must be a CGSC graduate and have attained, by merit, the position of leader of his or her country’s Army or Defence Forces. Gen Mahesh Senanyake undertook his CGSC course in 2000 and was appointed as Army Commander in Sri Lanka in 2017.
General Senanayake said, “As a Sri Lankan, I am very delighted to be inducted into the International Hall of Fame which is given only for a very few accomplished military and civilian members who have reached the pinnacle of success in the military. Since 1973, only 287 global military leaders have received this prestigious honour out of over 8,000 international officers and I am very humbly proud of taking the name of my country into this prestigious fame. I must confess that the knowledge, wisdom, and experience gained from CGSC had been instrumental to chart out my military career and I am grateful to the CGSC for this honour and recognition.”
Fifteen International Hall of Fame members have gone on to be Heads of State or heads of Government in their countries.
As a highly decorated four-star General whose distinguished military career spanned over 38 years of an outstanding tour of duty, General Mahesh Senanayake has been widely acclaimed as one of the best Commanders. His exceptional leadership, recognised intellect and incomparable valour as a combatant commander had been significantly influenced to achieve decisive victory and sustain enduring peace in Sri Lanka. Given his accolade as the respected military diplomat, exceptional communicator, a new generation of military thinkers and strategist, he has been often invited to share his strategic wisdom in international forums across the world.
He is widely credited for changing the outcome of the Easter Sunday Attack which was known to be the world’s deadliest series of terrorist attacks. His crisis management skills have been praised across the world during the Easter Sunday attack for preventing ethno-religious conflict through his strategic communication skills and swift pragmatic responses.