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 Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka(ලුතිනන් ජනරාල් සරත් ෆොන්සේකා) (RWP, RSP, rcds, psc) has been appointed the Commander of the Sri Lankan Army effective from December 6 2005.
Widely admired as one of the battle-hardened general of present Sri Lankan Army, Lieutenant General Fonseka has served largely as an illustrious infantry soldier in the northern theatre of Sri Lankan civil war during his exemplary career, particularly at the peak of Tamil Tiger terrorism.
To his credit, when the Jaffna Fort was under siege for a long period, then Colonel G. S. C Fonseka led troops in the famous Midnight Express operation to rescue troops. Incidentally, the incumbent Secretary Defence Lieutenant Colonel Gotabaya Rajapakse too was with him and together they rescued the lives of hundreds of troops who would always remember them for their leadership and bravery.
His enormous contribution as Deputy General Officer Commanding to conduct operation, Riviresa to evict terrorists and capture Jaffna town in December 1995 continues to remain a living memory because of the dynamic leadership he jointly imparted to his fellow-soldiers, and his meticulously planned tactical knowledge of the warfare, he has possessed. In the same vein, troops commanded by Lt. Gen Fonseka offered stiff resistance to Tamil Tigers during operation 'unceasing waves' in 2000, and further consolidated the security network to Jaffna during his four-month stint as Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna .
Lt General Fonseka, as a fearless infantryman was at the forefront in operations, Balawegaya and Jayasikuru, that led to rescue the Elephant Pass and capture of Mankulam. It was none other than the 6th Battalion of his Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment that was under siege at Elephant Pass in 1991 and reinforcements in a meticulously devised operation successfully repulsed the LTTE attack.
Lt General Fonseka, distinguished himself by his dauntless bravery and excellent command in warfare as well as for his common touch with his troops, sustained injuries during the operation Yaldevi following terrorist attacks. Jaffna, finally became his second home during May 2002-November 2003 after he was again appointed the Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna.
Awards and decorations
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His awards and decorations include the Gallantry Medals, Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP), Rana Sura Padakkama, Desha Putra Sammanaya and several others.
Over and above the command appointments, he has held a large number of various staff appointments including the Chief of Staff office in the Army, the post he relinquished to take reins as Commander of the Army.
Military career
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His exciting career opportunities covered almost every sphere of military experience. He served as,
- Deputy Chief of Staff, Sri Lanka Army (July 01 2004 - December 09 2004)
- Director General Infantry, Army Headquarters
- Commander the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force between (November 23 2003 - August 15 2004)
- He was twice appointed the Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna (April 21 2002- July 21 2000) and (May 05 2002 to November 23 2003).
- Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College at Batalanda(February 05 - May 05 2002)
- Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna,
- Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni on (July 21 2000 - December 12 2000). And he simultaneously overlooked the offices of Inspector of Infantry, Quarter Master General, Director General General Staff, Army Headquarters for a short period in 2000.
- General Officer Commanding in 22 Division, Trincomalee(November 10 1998 and January 15 2000).
- On being promoted to the two-star rank of Major General on February 23 1998,
- Colonel of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment on February 01 2002.
- General Officer Commanding 55 Division, Mirusuvil,
- Officiating General Officer Commanding , Task Force 2 in Vavuniya,
- Deputy General Officer Commanding - Task Force 2 in Vavuniya,
- Commander, 23 Brigade Polonnaruwa,
- Deputy General Officer Commanding, 51 Division, Jaffna,
- Coordinating Officer for Kayts and Mandativu,
- Commander , 27 Brigade Kilinochchi,
- Commander, 3 Brigade Batticaloa,
- Deputy Commander Task Force 1 and Commander Designate Mechanized Brigade,
- Officiating Commander 21 Brigade
- Director Operations after his promotion to the rank of Brigadier on December 01 1993.
- As a Colonel, Lt Genral Sarath Fonseka commanded the 23 Brigade Polonnaruwa in 1993.
- Colonel General Staff Army Headquarters,
- Centre Commandant, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
- Deputy Commandant - 5 Brigade Group, Mannar
- Brigade Commander Operation Balavegaya and Coordinating Officer for Gampaha.
As a Lieutenant Colonel, he commanded the 1st Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment before he assumed the office of General Staff Officer 1 (Operations), HQ 2 Division, Anuradhapura, Officer Commanding/Chief Instructor and Deputy Commandant, Infantry Training Centre, Minneriya.
Enlisted to the Army on 05th February 1970, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and subsequently posted to the 1st Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment on 01st June 1971. He has followed the UK-based course offered by Royal College of Defence Studies, Infantry Officers Advanced Course (USA), Staff College Course (Bangladesh), Company Commanders Course (Pakistan), Battalion Support Weapons Course (India), Counter Insurgency Jungle Warfare Course (India), Commando Officers Course (India) and has represented Sri Lanka in a number of international seminars and conferences, including the Pacific Armies Management Seminar (Japan), Conference on fourth International Exhibition of Defence (UK) and another overseas seminar in Geneva. In what was seen a recognition of his military maturity, he was selected to undertake an inspection assignment in Iran in 1992.
Lt General Fonseka, a product of Ambalangoda Dharmasoka College (1958-1965) and Ananda College, Colombo (1966-1969) is a keen sportsman who has excelled in swimming and water polo representing defence services and the country. Lieutenant General Fonseka, married to Mrs Anoma Fonseka has two daughters, Apsara and Aparna.
References
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