Rector

Brigadier Enoj Herath assumed duties as the Rector of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University Southern Campus on 16 December 2024.

Brigadier Enoj Herath is a proud alumnus of St. Bernadette’s College and St. Anne’s College, Kurunegala. He began his military journey by joining the 38th Intake of the Sri Lanka Military Academy on 24 July 1992. During his training, he was selected to attend the Officer Cadet Long Course at the Pakistan Military Academy, where he successfully completed his basic cadet training. Upon completion, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 13 October 1994 and was posted to the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.

He was first appointed as a Platoon Commander in the 4th Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment. Over the years, he held several key command appointments, including Company Commander of the same Battalion, Second-in-Command of the 6th Battalion, Commanding Officer of the 12th Battalion of the Sinha Regiment and Brigade Commander of the 622 Infantry Brigade.

His notable staff appointments include serving the Adjutant of the 4th Battalion, General Staff Officer III at the Joint Operations Headquarters, Staff Officer II (Administration) at the Judge Advocate General’s Office, Staff Officer I (Operations) at the 58 Infantry Division, Staff Officer I at the Directorate of Recruitment, Army Headquarters as well as at the Regimental Centre of the Sinha Regiment. He has also served as the Brigadier General Staff at Security Forces Headquarters (Central).

Brigadier Enoj Herath has distinguished himself as an instructor, having served as a Senior Instructor at the Army School of Logistics in Trincomalee, the Dean of the Faculty of Defence and Strategic Studies at General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University and the Brigadier Coordinator at the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda.

His operational experience is extensive, having played an active role in major military operations such as Jayasikuru, Sath Jaya, Edibala and Riviresa I, II and III as well as in humanitarian operation during Sri Lanka’s armed conflict against the LTTE in the North and East.

Parallel to his military career, Brigadier Enoj Herath has pursued an impressive range of academic and professional qualifications. He holds a Master of Military Science from the National Defence University in China, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura. In addition, he has earned an Advanced Diploma in Defence and Strategic Studies, a National Diploma in Peace and Conflict Resolution from the Sri Lanka Foundation Institute, a Diploma in Professional Diplomacy and World Affairs from the Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute and a Diploma in Senior-Level Defence Management from Devi Ahilya University in India.

He is a graduate of the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Sapugaskanda and qualified in National Defence university in China. He has completed the Defence Attaché Orientation Course conducted by the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

His foreign military training includes the Young Officers Infantry Course and Mid-Career Course in Pakistan, the Senior Command Course and Battalion Support Weapon Course in India and a United Nations Staff Training Exercise in Mongolia. He has also served as a UN Military Observer in the peacekeeping mission in Sudan.

Brigadier Enoj Herath is a highly decorated Senior Officer and his exemplary service spanning over 33 years has been recognised with 17 military decorations, including the Ranasoora Padakkama for gallantry, the Deshaputhra Sammanaya for being wounded in combat more than three times, the Uttama Seva Padakkama for an unblemished military career and the UN Service Medal and Videsha Seva Padakkama for his contribution to world peace.

Brigadier Enoj Herath is married to Mrs. Thanuja Dissanayake, and they are blessed with one daughter.