27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 24th May 2025

The Association of Retired Flag Rank Officers (ARFRO) held its 27th Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 24th May 2025 at the Regimental Officers’ Mess of the Sri Lanka Corps of Military Police, Polhengoda, Colombo 5. The event was conducted with great dignity and camaraderie, drawing together distinguished members of the nation’s retired senior military leadership.

The meeting was graced by the presence of the Hon. Deputy Minister of Defence, Major General K P A Jayasekera (Retd), and several former Commanders of the Armed Forces, including General C S Weerasooriya, Admiral D W K Sandagiri, General R M D Ratnayake, Admiral Jayanath Colombage, and Air Chief Marshal G P Bulathsinghala. Their participation not only added prestige to the proceedings but also reflected their continued commitment to the service community. Over 50 Flag Rank Officers, who are Life and Associate Members of the Association, were in attendance, underscoring the enduring bonds of military fraternity.

Established in 1996 on the visionary initiative of the late General Deshamanya J E D Perera VSV, ARFRO has grown steadily in both stature and purpose. As of today, the Association boasts a membership of 358 retired senior officers from the tri-services. Membership is open to all officers of the Armed Forces of Sri Lanka who retired holding the ranks of Brigadier, Commodore, Air Commodore, or above.

ARFRO’s primary objective remains to provide a respected and inclusive forum for senior retired officers to engage in meaningful dialogue, preserve shared values, and foster a sense of mutual respect and camaraderie—an ethos deeply embedded in military tradition. The Association not only maintains these bonds but also serves as a knowledge-sharing platform that supports national development and thought leadership.

A key feature of ARFRO’s ongoing work is its commitment to advancing professional discourse on subjects of strategic and national importance. Through seminars, lectures, and engagements with domain experts, the Association enables its members—and, on occasion, young serving officers in training—to gain valuable insight and perspective on issues that influence both military and civilian spheres.

Equally commendable is ARFRO’s commitment to social responsibility. Through the Ranaviru Family Counseling and Support Service (RFCSS), the Association extends support to the families and dependents of service personnel who were Killed in Action (KIA) or listed as Missing in Action (MIA). These efforts are designed to ensure that the families of fallen heroes are not left in hardship and continue to feel valued and supported. In addition, the Association provides a limited number of scholarships to children of these families, helping them pursue higher education without financial strain.