Guard of Honour:

First serving General in Commander capacity honoured

Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka, who was accorded a historic Guard of Honour yesterday morning at the Army Headquarters upon his return to the highest mantle of his military career as the first-ever serving General to continue as Commander of the Army after President Mahinda Rajapaksa as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces promoted him and other two service chiefs to their next ranks.

General Sarath Fonseka upon his arrival at the venue inspected the Guard Turnout and was conducted by Parade Commander, Major General Jayanath Perera to receive the Guard of Honour, accorded by soldiers of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.

All Senior Army Officers in the military tradition extended their greetings to the new General as he stepped out and met them.

Next the Army Chief was greeted by his wife Anoma Fonseka, two daughters and the son-in-law who were awaiting his arrival at the office complex entrance.

Towards the culmination of the day’s ceremony, General Fonseka shared greetings with his officers and a section of other ranks during refreshments and tea.

For a nation that has been held captive by a bunch of inhuman terrorists for over three decades, dedication and commitment amply displayed by thousands of heroic Army troops was the only solace peace - loving people in Sri Lanka have had all this time.

The country’s fate, thanks to the unmatched leadership, courage, determination and more importantly because of the commitment of President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa and Tri Service chiefs, turned towards a momentous path of victory.

The Mavilaru turning point in the contemporary military history, which laid the foundation for the onset of eternal peace in Sri Lanka after decimation of three-decade old evil powers, set the wheels of change in motion.

Brainchild behind success

General Sarath Fonseka, the brainchild behind successful completion of the LTTE war for separation, has carved out a niche for himself in Sri Lanka Army history as the most competent war veteran in our times and the one and only serving officer to be elevated to the rank of General.

Widely admired as one of the great battle-hardened warriors of our times, General G. S. C Fonseka has served largely as an illustrious infantry soldier in the northern theatre of war during his exemplary career, particularly at the peak of 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 Gotabhaya Rajapaksa 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 Gen Fonseka offered stiff resistance to 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 .

General Fonseka, as a fearless infantryman was at the forefront in operations, Balawegaya and Jayasikuru that led to rescue the Elephant Pass and capture 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.

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.

Decorated officer

His awards and decorations include the Gallantry Medals, Rana Wickrema Padakkama (RWP), Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), Vishishta Seva Vibhushana (VSV). Utthama Seva Padakkama (USP), Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, Poorna Bhoomi Padakkama, North & East Operations Medal, Desha Puthra 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. 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 9, 2004, Director General Infantry, Army Headquarters and later on commanded the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force between November 23, 2003 and August 15, 2004. In recognition of his fearless leadership, he was twice appointed the Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna (April 21 - July 21, 2000) and (May 5, 2002 to November 23, 2003).

He was also the Commandant, Army Command and Staff College at Batalanda during a very brief period. (February 5 - May 5, 2002). After his first tenure of office as the Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna, he assumed duties as the Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Wanni on July 21, 2000 and remained there until December 12 the same year.

Despite his busy schedules, Gen Sarath Fonseka simultaneously overlooked the offices of Inspector of Infantry, Quarter Master General, Director General General Staff, Army Headquarters for a short period in 2000. He was the General Officer Commanding in 22 Division, Trincomalee between November 10, 1998 and January 15, 2000.

Promoted Major General

On being promoted to the two-star rank of Major General on February 23, 1998, Major General Sarath Fonseka became the Colonel of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment on February 1, 2002.

Major Gen Fonseka served as Officiating 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, Coordinating Officer Election and Security for North and East, 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 1, 1993.

As a Colonel, General Sarath Fonseka commanded the 23 Brigade Polonnaruwa in 1993. Among other appointments, he held included 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 February 5, 1970, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and subsequently posted to the 1st Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment on June 1, 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.

Keen sportsman

In what was seen a recognition of his military maturity, he was selected to undertake an inspection assignment in Iran in 1992.

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. General Fonseka, married to Anoma Fonseka has two daughters, Apsara and Aparna.