Sepala Attygalle became the first officer to be promoted to the rank of general on his retirement from the army on 13 October 1977.

Former Prime Minister of Ceylon, Sir John Kotelawala was appointed to the honorary rank of general of the Volunteer Force in 1980.

Since 1991, it became customary for all commanders of the army to be promoted to the rank of general on the final day of service if they were retiring or appointed as Chief of the Defence Staff.

In 2009, Sarath Fonseka became the first officer to hold the rank of general, while serving as commander of the army for a brief period.

In 2020, Shavendra Silva was promoted to the rank while concurrently serving as both commander of the army and chief of the defence staff.