Death of Major – General Nande (Mike) Silva
Posted on February 23rd, 2019
Senaka Weeraratna
Major – General Nande (Mike) Silva, former Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army passed away on February 20, 2019. His remains were cremated with full military honours in the presence of a distinguished Army personnel at the General Cemetery, Borella on February 23, 2019.
He was born on 4th July, 1933. He received his early education at Ananda College, Colombo where he excelled in both academic studies and sports. He was a Cadet Corporal of the school cadet platoon.
Upon completion of his secondary school studies, Nande Silva joined the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet in 1952. He was sent to the highly reputed Royal Military Academy Sandhurst (RMAS) in England for his initial training.
His first posting upon his return from Sandhurst was to one of the most prestigious Regiments of the Sri Lanka Army, the Sri Lanka Light Infantry, as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1954. He received further training during his military career in England, India, Australia, and USA.
He served in numerous Command, Staff and Instructional appointments in different capacities, displaying a high degree of professionalism, and utmost commitment towards discharging duties and responsibilities handed over to him.
He received promotions regularly. He was conferred the rank of Major – General on 4th April, 1988.
Major – General Nande (Mike) Silva served as Chief of Staff during the tenure of Lt. Gen. Nalin Seneviratne who was the Army Commander, and who retired on August 15, 1988. Major – General Hamilton Wanasinghe succeeded Lt. Gen. Nalin Seneviratne as Army Commander.
Major – General Nande Silva served in many parts of the country including Jaffna in the early 1960s. He has served as the Commandant of the Kotelawala Defence Academy and Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force. He was also the Commanding Officer of the First Battalion of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry.
Upon retirement from the Army, he was active in the Old Boys Association of Ananda College and has participated in several Buddhist pilgrimages and visits to places of historical interest.
He was an active member of the German Dharmaduta Society and served on its Board of Management as a Committee Member for several years. He was also a regular visitor to the Maithri Hall at Lauries Road, Colombo 04, to listen to erudite Buddhist sermons and lectures.
He leaves behind his beloved wife Ransiri (nee Devendra), three children namely Mugalan, Ranmali and Kapila, and several grand children.