He is the Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development; and former Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army.

He had attended the Junior Command Course and the Senior Command Course at the Army War College, Mhow; Basic Parachute Course at the Indian Army's Parachute Training School, Agra; Mid-Career Course in Pakistan; Disaster Management Seminar - Pacific Command; and graduated from the PLA National Defence University.

His staff appointments include, Adjutant, Kothalawala Defence Academy, Colonel General Staff of Overall Operational Command - Colombo and served as the Military Spokesman, Ministry of Defence and Director Media, Army Headquarters.

He was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army in February 2016 and served till his retirement.

[1][2] In January 2020, Major General Sumedha Perera was tipped to be appointed as Chief of the Defence Staff, but was instead appointed Permanent Secretary to the Ministry of Mahaweli, Agriculture, Irrigation and Rural Development by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa.