Richard Udugama
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The Honourable Major General Deshamanya Alexander Richard Udugama MBE, psc, CSR, MP |
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| Member of the Sri Lanka Parliament for Matale |
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In office 7 June 1970 – 18 May 1977 |
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| Preceded by | Alick Aluwihare |
| Succeeded by | Alick Aluwihare |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 11 November 1911 Matale |
| Died | 14 May 1995 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | Sri Lankan |
| Political party | Sri Lanka Freedom Party |
| Occupation | Soldier |
| Religion | Buddhist |
| Awards |
MBE, Burma Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939–1945 |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Sri Lanka |
| Service/branch |
Ceylon Defence Force Ceylon Army |
| Years of service | 1940–1966 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit |
Ceylon Light Infantry, Ceylon Sinha Regiment |
| Commands | Commander of the Ceylon Army |
| Battles/wars | World War II |
Major General Deshamanya Alexander Richard Udugama, MBE, psc, CSR (11 November 1911 – 14 May 1995) was a Sri Lankan military leader, politician and diplomat. Former Commander of the Ceylon Army (1964–1966), he was elected as Member of Parliament for Matale in 1970 and served as Sri Lankan Ambassador to Iraq from 1979 to 1982. He was accused of an alleged coup d'état in 1966.
He was born on 11 November 1911 in Matale to a rich family, who claimed to be linked to the Uva Rebellion. Educated at Trinity College, Kandy and won a Trinity Lion.
With the out break of World War II, he joined the Ceylon Defence Force and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Ceylon Light Infantry in 1940. Thereafter he was posted to the 1st, 3rd and 4th Battalions of the Ceylon Light Infantry and undertook several infantry courses in Ceylon and India. He was promoted to the rank of Captain on 1 January 1943. In November 1943, he was transferred to the British 14th Army operating in Burma Campaign. During this time he served with the 7/2nd Punjab Regiment in the Arakan area, on the eastern side of Mayu Range. At this point he was captured Japanese and held in a POW camp until the end of the war in 1945. For his war service he was awarded the Burma Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal 1939–1945. After the war, he was demobilized and became a planter. However he joined the new Ceylon Army when it was established in 1949 as a regular officer with the rank of Major.
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