 During his military service he had served as commanding officer of the 7th Field Engineer Regiment SLE, Chief Instructor at the Sri Lanka Military Academy as well as serving as a staff officer at the former Joint Operational Command, Volunteer Force Headquarters and as Brigadier, general staff at Security Forces Headquarters – Wanni during the height of the Sri Lankan civil war.Prior to taking up duties as the military spokesman he was the brigadier coordinating of the Defence Services Command and Staff College.Brigadier Hapuarachchi has received the Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, the Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, the Purna Bhumi Padakkama and the North and East Operations Medal.