An Army in transition
The newly appointed Sri Lankan Army Commander Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya told The Bottom Line that the Sri Lanka Army (SLA) is not prepared to let the terrorists raise their ugly heads in the island again.
“My main objective is to strengthen the Army further. I am not prepared to tolerate corruption in this organisation and, if there is any complaint, I will inquire and will not hesitate to court marshal any corrupt Officers, whatever their ranks. I want to maintain a high grade of discipline within the Army. Although the war is over, the Army has to function as a professional establishment. The SLA is the defender of our Nation. To accomplish this, training, both Officers and lower ranks is a must,” said the one-time pugilist and Olympic Boxing referee.
“My main objective is to strengthen the Army further. I am not prepared to tolerate corruption in this organisation and, if there is any complaint, I will inquire and will not hesitate to court marshal any corrupt Officers, whatever their ranks. I want to maintain a high grade of discipline within the Army. Although the war is over, the Army has to function as a professional establishment. The SLA is the defender of our Nation. To accomplish this, training, both Officers and lower ranks is a must,” said the one-time pugilist and Olympic Boxing referee.
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Army Chief Lt. Gen Jayasuriya said he will grant promotions to junior Officers as their promotions were pending, and also look after the Officers’ and soldiers’ welfare which too was vital.
In 1997, he was the Brigade Commander of the Armoured Brigade and in 1998, Brigade Commander 563 Infantry Brigade. He was critically injured during Operation Jayasikuru in 1998, when his jeep hit a land mine. Thereafter, he was the Military Liaison Officer at the Ministry of Defence till 2002, during which time he was promoted to Brigadier in 2001. The same year, he was appointed Commandant, Sri Lanka Military Academy. In December 2004, he was appointed Director Operations at the Army Headquarters and thereafter, promoted Maj. Gen, taking over as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 52 Division.
In mid 2007, he was appointed Commander Security Forces Headquarters - Wanni. From here he directed military operations in the Wanni region, aimed at regaining LTTE-controlled areas. This saw several major battles, including the Battle of Vidattaltivu, the Battle of Paranthan, the Battle of Kilinochchi, the Third Battle of Elephant Pass and the Battle of Mullativu. He is the Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps and the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
Lt. Gen Jayasuriya has received the Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP), the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, the Desha Putra Sammanaya, the Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, the Purna Bhumi Padakkama and the North and East Operations Medal.
Several more changes have been made among the top brass of the SLA, with Maj. Gen Mendaka Samarasinghe promoted as Chief of Staff of the Army. Brig. Samarasinghe was promoted Maj. Gen in May 2006 and assumed duties as GOC 22 Division.
Significantly, it was during Maj. Gen Samarasinghe’s tenure as GOC 22 Division that the LTTE embarked on their ‘suicidal’ mission closing the Mavil Aru sluice gates and denying the farmers and a large section of the population in the area of their water for agriculture and sustenance.
Not stopping there, the LTTE simultaneously launched an attack on Mutur and killed more than 50 Muslim youths. The government, which had up to that time, tolerated several Tiger attacks on the Military as well as civilians, gave the Security Forces the go ahead to fight the LTTE in the East.
In 1997, he was the Brigade Commander of the Armoured Brigade and in 1998, Brigade Commander 563 Infantry Brigade. He was critically injured during Operation Jayasikuru in 1998, when his jeep hit a land mine. Thereafter, he was the Military Liaison Officer at the Ministry of Defence till 2002, during which time he was promoted to Brigadier in 2001. The same year, he was appointed Commandant, Sri Lanka Military Academy. In December 2004, he was appointed Director Operations at the Army Headquarters and thereafter, promoted Maj. Gen, taking over as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 52 Division.
In mid 2007, he was appointed Commander Security Forces Headquarters - Wanni. From here he directed military operations in the Wanni region, aimed at regaining LTTE-controlled areas. This saw several major battles, including the Battle of Vidattaltivu, the Battle of Paranthan, the Battle of Kilinochchi, the Third Battle of Elephant Pass and the Battle of Mullativu. He is the Colonel Commandant of the Sri Lanka Armoured Corps and the Mechanised Infantry Regiment.
Lt. Gen Jayasuriya has received the Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP), the Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, the Desha Putra Sammanaya, the Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, the Purna Bhumi Padakkama and the North and East Operations Medal.
Several more changes have been made among the top brass of the SLA, with Maj. Gen Mendaka Samarasinghe promoted as Chief of Staff of the Army. Brig. Samarasinghe was promoted Maj. Gen in May 2006 and assumed duties as GOC 22 Division.
Significantly, it was during Maj. Gen Samarasinghe’s tenure as GOC 22 Division that the LTTE embarked on their ‘suicidal’ mission closing the Mavil Aru sluice gates and denying the farmers and a large section of the population in the area of their water for agriculture and sustenance.
Not stopping there, the LTTE simultaneously launched an attack on Mutur and killed more than 50 Muslim youths. The government, which had up to that time, tolerated several Tiger attacks on the Military as well as civilians, gave the Security Forces the go ahead to fight the LTTE in the East.
Beginning of the end for the LTTE
Then Army Chief Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka ordered Maj. Gen Samarasinghe to commence offensive operations against the LTTE, with the backing of the SLA’s Elite Special Forces and Commandos. This operation heralded the beginning of the end for the so-called invincible and the world’s most ruthless terrorist outfit. First, the LTTE lost control in and around Trincomalee, while the SLA pushed it from Mavil Aru, to Sampoor, Mutur, Karadiyan Aru and up to the jungles of Thoppigala.
When the major part of these operations was accomplished, Maj. Gen Samarasinghe returned to Colombo in December 2006, and proceeded overseas to the National Defense College. He returned to Sri Lanka in 2007, to take over as Commander- Western Province. In the latter part of 2008, he took over as Security Forces Commander Jaffna. Coincidentally, he is a batch mate of the incumbent Army Commander from Intake 10, and is from the Engineering Regiment.
Maj. Gen. J.J.P.S.T. Liyanage was appointed Commanding Officer- Volunteer Forces. However, he will also function as QuarterMaster General- Ordnance. He functioned as Director- Military Intelligence as well as Security Forces Commander- East. He too, is from Intake 10.
Maj. Gen. D.E.W.B. Jayatillake took over as Adjutant General. He was in the former Forward Maintained Area. Though he was originally from the Common Stream, he was elevated to the Main Stream by the Army Commander. He was attached to the Sinha Regiment (SR) and is from Intake 11.
Former Adjutant General Jayanath Perera, who is from the Sinha Regiment, was Centre Commandant, when the Army Commander moved him to the National Defence Training College by year end. He is from Intake OTS 2.
Maj. Gen. G.P. Rajith Silva takes over as Security Forces Commander- Jaffna. He is from the Vijayabahu Regiment and was Director General- General Staff Army HQ. He is from Intake OTS 1.
Maj. Gen. A.M. Perera was appointed Director General- Army HQ. He earlier functioned as Overall Operations Commander- Western Province. Prior to being promoted Maj. Gen, he was Commander- 52 Brigade in Jaffna.
The SLA’s Military Intelligence, Training, Planning and Media Unit comes under Maj. Gen. Mano Perera, who is also from the Armoured Corps. He is from Intake SSC 3. He was promoted Maj. Gen. earlier this year.
Maj. Gen. Kamal Gunaratne has been appointed Security Forces Commander Wanni. Prior to this appointment, he was GOC 53 Offensive Division. He was promoted Maj. Gen. this year. During ‘Eelam War IV’, he was Commander 55 Division in Jaffna and beginning of this year, the former Army Commander appointed him to 53 Division. This is an Offensive Division, and the Air Mobile Brigade falls within the purview of this Division. During the final countdown to ‘Eelam War IV’, 53 Division played a major role in the battlefront.
Maj. Gen Kamal Gunaratna is from Intake SSC 3A. The SLA’s 53 Division, commanded by then Brig. Kamal Gunarathne, was initially manning the Forward Defence Line at Muhamalai in the Jaffna peninsula. The Division was deployed in the area south of the A-9 road, and was one of two Divisions that defended the isolated Jaffna peninsula against LTTE infiltration over the past few years. The Division shifted its mode of operations from defensive to offensive in mid November 2008.
Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe is the new Chief Signals Officer. He was the one-time Military Spokesman and also served as Defence Attaché to the UK Embassy. During his diplomatic assignment, he was able to raise funds for the Api Wanuwen Api programme for the welfare of the Security Forces’ personnel. Brig. Samarasinghe is from Intake OTS 1.
While a young Captain of the Signals Brigade, he was the Signals Officer for Operation Vadamarachchi. He was directly under the command of late Lt. Gen Denzil Kobbekaduwa.
Brig. B.A. Perera has been appointed Commander 58 Division. Brig. Perera was the Artillery Brigade Commander during ‘Eelam War IV’, while he commanded 112 Brigade as well. He was responsible for the efficient security of Colombo city, as Overall Operations Commander- Colombo. During his tenure, he was able to track down several hardcore LTTE cadres. Through his unique strategy, the SLA was able to prevent many disasters. He is from Intake 17.
Brig. P.M.P. Jayasundara has been appointed Director Planning- Army HQ. Brig. Jayasundarea was the Artillery Brigade Commander. He commanded 51 Brigade in Jaffna. He is from Intake 19 and he topped the batch.
Brig. G.R. Kulatunga was appointed Commandant- Military Academy, Diyatalawa. Brig. Kulatunga was Military Assistant to former Army Commander Lt. Gen Shantha Kottegoda. During ‘Eelam War IV’, he was a Lt. Col. at Muhamalai in Jaffna. Thereafter, he was transferred as Commandant- Jaffna town. During his period as Commandant- Jaffna town, he conducted many psychological operations to win the hearts and minds of the people. Brig. Kulatunga is from Intake 19 and is from the Gajaba Regiment.
Brig. Shavendra Silva, who was prominent during ‘Eelam War IV’, has been appointed Operations Commander. Brig. Silva was at the forefront during the recently concluded ‘Eelam War IV’, where he commanded 58 Division. Under his command, 58 Division was able to liberate major swathes of LTTE-controlled territory.
Brig. M.K.D. Perera was appointed Commander 51 Division. Brig. Kumudu Perera was Brigade Commander at Nagarkovil in Jaffna. From Jaffna he was transferred as Commandant- Diyatalawa Military Academy. He was one of the youngest Officers to command platoons during ‘Eeelam War IV’. Brig. Kumudu Perera is from the Sinha Regiment and is from Intake 19.
Brig. Chagi Gallage has been appointed Commander 53 Division. Brig. Gallage was Commander Task Force I, which was later elevated as 58 Division. Brig. Gallage earlier led the battle in the East and captured the LTTE’s main hideout in Thoppigala, as well as Batticaloa. Thereafter, he launched operations in Silavathurai in Mannar.
During these operations, he took ill and, following medical advice, was based in Colombo, where he functioned as Director Training. During the final battles, he was with 59 Division, and later commanded 55 Division too. Brigadier Chagie Gallage is from the Gajaba Regiment and from Intake 19.
Brig. Duminda Keppetiwalana was appointed Commander 59 Division, Col. P.B.D. Dias - Security Forces HQ, Mullativu, Col. W.R. Palihakkara - Deputy Pay Master, Col. K.P.A. Jayasekera- Operations Commandant, Colombo, Col. A.M.T. Dharmasiri- Director, Sinha Regiment, Ambepussa, Col. H. Kulatunga- Jaffna Town Commandant, Col. W.A.M. Weerasuriya- Brigade Commander 112 Brigade, Colombo, Col. K.A.W. Kariyapperuma- Brigade Commander 552 Brigade.
In addition, Maj. Gen. P.S.T. Liyanage will also function as the head of the Artillery Regiment, Maj. Gen. A.S.M. Zaheer as Col. Commandant- Military Intelligence Corp, Maj. Gen. D.R.W.B. Jayatillake as Col. Commandant Sinha Regiment, Maj. Gen. R.M.D. Ratnayake as the head of the Infantry Regiment, Maj. Gen. M.P. Pieris as head of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, Maj. Gen. S.W.L. Dawulagala as head of the Gajaba Regiment, Maj. Gen. L.B.R. Mark as the head of the Gemunu Regiment and Brig. E.P.D. Abeysekera as the head of Signals Corps.
Then Army Chief Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka ordered Maj. Gen Samarasinghe to commence offensive operations against the LTTE, with the backing of the SLA’s Elite Special Forces and Commandos. This operation heralded the beginning of the end for the so-called invincible and the world’s most ruthless terrorist outfit. First, the LTTE lost control in and around Trincomalee, while the SLA pushed it from Mavil Aru, to Sampoor, Mutur, Karadiyan Aru and up to the jungles of Thoppigala.
When the major part of these operations was accomplished, Maj. Gen Samarasinghe returned to Colombo in December 2006, and proceeded overseas to the National Defense College. He returned to Sri Lanka in 2007, to take over as Commander- Western Province. In the latter part of 2008, he took over as Security Forces Commander Jaffna. Coincidentally, he is a batch mate of the incumbent Army Commander from Intake 10, and is from the Engineering Regiment.
Maj. Gen. J.J.P.S.T. Liyanage was appointed Commanding Officer- Volunteer Forces. However, he will also function as QuarterMaster General- Ordnance. He functioned as Director- Military Intelligence as well as Security Forces Commander- East. He too, is from Intake 10.
Maj. Gen. D.E.W.B. Jayatillake took over as Adjutant General. He was in the former Forward Maintained Area. Though he was originally from the Common Stream, he was elevated to the Main Stream by the Army Commander. He was attached to the Sinha Regiment (SR) and is from Intake 11.
Former Adjutant General Jayanath Perera, who is from the Sinha Regiment, was Centre Commandant, when the Army Commander moved him to the National Defence Training College by year end. He is from Intake OTS 2.
Maj. Gen. G.P. Rajith Silva takes over as Security Forces Commander- Jaffna. He is from the Vijayabahu Regiment and was Director General- General Staff Army HQ. He is from Intake OTS 1.
Maj. Gen. A.M. Perera was appointed Director General- Army HQ. He earlier functioned as Overall Operations Commander- Western Province. Prior to being promoted Maj. Gen, he was Commander- 52 Brigade in Jaffna.
The SLA’s Military Intelligence, Training, Planning and Media Unit comes under Maj. Gen. Mano Perera, who is also from the Armoured Corps. He is from Intake SSC 3. He was promoted Maj. Gen. earlier this year.
Maj. Gen. Kamal Gunaratne has been appointed Security Forces Commander Wanni. Prior to this appointment, he was GOC 53 Offensive Division. He was promoted Maj. Gen. this year. During ‘Eelam War IV’, he was Commander 55 Division in Jaffna and beginning of this year, the former Army Commander appointed him to 53 Division. This is an Offensive Division, and the Air Mobile Brigade falls within the purview of this Division. During the final countdown to ‘Eelam War IV’, 53 Division played a major role in the battlefront.
Maj. Gen Kamal Gunaratna is from Intake SSC 3A. The SLA’s 53 Division, commanded by then Brig. Kamal Gunarathne, was initially manning the Forward Defence Line at Muhamalai in the Jaffna peninsula. The Division was deployed in the area south of the A-9 road, and was one of two Divisions that defended the isolated Jaffna peninsula against LTTE infiltration over the past few years. The Division shifted its mode of operations from defensive to offensive in mid November 2008.
Brig. Prasad Samarasinghe is the new Chief Signals Officer. He was the one-time Military Spokesman and also served as Defence Attaché to the UK Embassy. During his diplomatic assignment, he was able to raise funds for the Api Wanuwen Api programme for the welfare of the Security Forces’ personnel. Brig. Samarasinghe is from Intake OTS 1.
While a young Captain of the Signals Brigade, he was the Signals Officer for Operation Vadamarachchi. He was directly under the command of late Lt. Gen Denzil Kobbekaduwa.
Brig. B.A. Perera has been appointed Commander 58 Division. Brig. Perera was the Artillery Brigade Commander during ‘Eelam War IV’, while he commanded 112 Brigade as well. He was responsible for the efficient security of Colombo city, as Overall Operations Commander- Colombo. During his tenure, he was able to track down several hardcore LTTE cadres. Through his unique strategy, the SLA was able to prevent many disasters. He is from Intake 17.
Brig. P.M.P. Jayasundara has been appointed Director Planning- Army HQ. Brig. Jayasundarea was the Artillery Brigade Commander. He commanded 51 Brigade in Jaffna. He is from Intake 19 and he topped the batch.
Brig. G.R. Kulatunga was appointed Commandant- Military Academy, Diyatalawa. Brig. Kulatunga was Military Assistant to former Army Commander Lt. Gen Shantha Kottegoda. During ‘Eelam War IV’, he was a Lt. Col. at Muhamalai in Jaffna. Thereafter, he was transferred as Commandant- Jaffna town. During his period as Commandant- Jaffna town, he conducted many psychological operations to win the hearts and minds of the people. Brig. Kulatunga is from Intake 19 and is from the Gajaba Regiment.
Brig. Shavendra Silva, who was prominent during ‘Eelam War IV’, has been appointed Operations Commander. Brig. Silva was at the forefront during the recently concluded ‘Eelam War IV’, where he commanded 58 Division. Under his command, 58 Division was able to liberate major swathes of LTTE-controlled territory.
Brig. M.K.D. Perera was appointed Commander 51 Division. Brig. Kumudu Perera was Brigade Commander at Nagarkovil in Jaffna. From Jaffna he was transferred as Commandant- Diyatalawa Military Academy. He was one of the youngest Officers to command platoons during ‘Eeelam War IV’. Brig. Kumudu Perera is from the Sinha Regiment and is from Intake 19.
Brig. Chagi Gallage has been appointed Commander 53 Division. Brig. Gallage was Commander Task Force I, which was later elevated as 58 Division. Brig. Gallage earlier led the battle in the East and captured the LTTE’s main hideout in Thoppigala, as well as Batticaloa. Thereafter, he launched operations in Silavathurai in Mannar.
During these operations, he took ill and, following medical advice, was based in Colombo, where he functioned as Director Training. During the final battles, he was with 59 Division, and later commanded 55 Division too. Brigadier Chagie Gallage is from the Gajaba Regiment and from Intake 19.
Brig. Duminda Keppetiwalana was appointed Commander 59 Division, Col. P.B.D. Dias - Security Forces HQ, Mullativu, Col. W.R. Palihakkara - Deputy Pay Master, Col. K.P.A. Jayasekera- Operations Commandant, Colombo, Col. A.M.T. Dharmasiri- Director, Sinha Regiment, Ambepussa, Col. H. Kulatunga- Jaffna Town Commandant, Col. W.A.M. Weerasuriya- Brigade Commander 112 Brigade, Colombo, Col. K.A.W. Kariyapperuma- Brigade Commander 552 Brigade.
In addition, Maj. Gen. P.S.T. Liyanage will also function as the head of the Artillery Regiment, Maj. Gen. A.S.M. Zaheer as Col. Commandant- Military Intelligence Corp, Maj. Gen. D.R.W.B. Jayatillake as Col. Commandant Sinha Regiment, Maj. Gen. R.M.D. Ratnayake as the head of the Infantry Regiment, Maj. Gen. M.P. Pieris as head of the Mechanised Infantry Regiment, Maj. Gen. S.W.L. Dawulagala as head of the Gajaba Regiment, Maj. Gen. L.B.R. Mark as the head of the Gemunu Regiment and Brig. E.P.D. Abeysekera as the head of Signals Corps.
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