Sarath Fonseka
Sarath Fonseka | |
|---|---|
| File:General Sarath Fonseka.jpg General G.S.C. Fonseka RWP, RSP, USP, RCDS, PSC, SR | |
| Service/ | Sri Lanka Army |
| Rank | General |
| Unit | Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment |
| Commands held | Chief of Defence Staff Commander of the Army |
| Battles/wars | Sri Lankan Civil War, Insurrection 1987-89 |
| Awards | Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Rana Sura Padakkama, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya, Uttama Seva Padakkama, Desha Putra Sammanaya |
General Sarath Fonseka RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, rcds, psc, SLSR is a Sri Lanka Army officer and current Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka. He previously served throughout the Sri Lankan Civil War, including as Commander of the Sri Lanka Army from December 6, 2005 - July 15, 2009. As commander, he oversaw the the final phase of Eelam war, which resulted in the ultimate defeat of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam. Fonseka has been described as Sri Lanka's most successful army commander.[1] His run of significant military victories against the LTTE during Eelam War IV led the Indian National Security Advisor Mayankote Kelath Narayanan to describe him as the best army commander in the world.[2] On April 25, 2006 he survived an assassination attempt when an LTTE suicide bomber attacked his motorcade.[3]
There are widespread campaigns to have Gen. Fonseka elected as president in 2010. Many Sri Lankans believe that Gen. Fonseka's stance against corruption and his non alliance to traditional political parties could finally put the country on the correct path towards development.
Early life and family
General Fonseka, a graduate of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda (1958-1965) and Ananda College, Colombo (1966-1969), is a sportsman who has participated in swimming and water polo, representing defense services and the country.
Military career in the Sri Lankan Army
Fonseka has held a large number of various staff appointments including the office of Chief of Staff of the Sri Lankan army, the post he relinquished to take reins as Commander of the Army.
One contribution as Deputy General Officer Commanding consisted of 'Riviresa', to capture Jaffna from the Tamil Tigers, in December 1995. Later, troops commanded by Fonseka offered stiff resistance to Tamil Tigers in 2000, following the fall of Elephant Pass, ultimately having to flee since they were unable to withstand the attack.
Fonseka, was also involved in the operations 'Balawegaya' and 'Jayasikuru', which led to the capture of the Elephant Pass and Mankulam. The 6th Battalion of his Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, which was under siege at Elephant Pass in 1991, repulsed the LTTE attack with reinforcements. He was wounded in 1993 in the Yaldewee operation.
As a Colonel, Fonseka commanded the 23 Brigade of the Sri Lankan Army at Polonnaruwa in 1993. Among other appointments, he held Colonel, General Staff Army Headquarters, Sri Lankan Army; Centre Commandant, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment, Brigade Commander in Operation Ballavegaya, Deputy Commandant - 5 Brigade Group, Mannar and Coordinating Officer for Gampaha Gum Gumaga.
Defeating the LTTE
On 18th May 2009, the Sri Lanka Army, under the leadership of Gen. Fonseka, together with the Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force, completely defeated the LTTE after 26 years of civil war.[4].
"Midnight Express"
In 1993, as the Jaffna Fort was under siege for a long period, the then Colonel G.S.C. Fonseka led troops in the "Midnight Express" (not a train name) operation to rescue the besieged troops. Incidentally, the incumbent Secretary of Defence Lieutenant Colonel Gotabhaya Rajapaksa was with him. Several hundred soldiers were saved in this operation.
Suicide bomb attack
On 25 April 2006, Lt. General Fonseka survived an LTTE suicide bomb attack by a pregnant Tamil woman who infiltrated the army base by attending the regular maternity clinic provided for civilians at the army base military hospital[5], in which he was seriously injured and nine others were killed. The bomber had infiltrated the heavily-secured Sri Lankan army headquarters in Colombo and attacked the General's limousine when he was on his way to the officer's mess. The General was rushed first to the military hospital at the headquarters and then transferred to the Colombo General Hospital and later flown to Singapore for treatment, and resumed his duties in July.[6].
Chief of Defence staff
He was made the chief of defence staff by the president effective from the 15th July 2009.He is the first CDS appointed,from the newly approved CDS act,which turned the post more responsible about the nations security which enable all three forces are co-ordinated smoothly.
Sinhalese Nationalism
In an interview to Canada’s National Post in September 2008, Sarath Fonseka had said he “strongly believed that Sri Lanka belongs to the Sinhalese, but there are minority communities and we treat them like our people”, and of the other communities “They can live in this country with us. But they must not try to, under the pretext of being a minority, demand undue things.”[7]
Post War Politics
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2009) |
There were newspaper reports published about Mr. Fonseka entering into politics during post-war, in Augusat 2009. One of the article explains it as follows, "General Fonseka launches political campaign - I will make a supreme sacrifice to defend my land against the politicos who ever they may be joining hands with India. Now we have a daunting task to protect our motherland from India" [8]. Gen. Fonseka entering politics was a debate even during the war against LTTE[9].
It is based on the conspiracy emerged, against Mr. Fonseka, weeks before in the Sri Lankan political arena [10]. Changes of Staff in the militery rank during post war, was political intentions [11] many predicted.
Sri Lanka is heading towards to face a general and presidential election in 2010, there were campaigns, which supports Mr. Fonseka as the next President of Sri Lanka.[12] Most of these campaigns basically support his ideology [13] (Sri Lanka as a Unitary State and so on). Even tough Mr. Fonseka denied entering politics, critics’ say that he has to play defensive as for the current political atmosphere and time would be a factor on his political debut. To confirm the doubts many had in recent weeks, General Sarath Fonseka gave a speech in Washington D.C, US. [14] [15]
Awards
His awards and decorations include the Gallantry Medals; Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP), Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), distinguished service medals; Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV), Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) and other notable medal campaign medals; Riviresa Campaign Services Medal, Poorna Bhoomi Padakkama, North & East Operations Medal, Desha Putra Sammanaya and several others.
Family
General Fonseka married to Anoma Indumathi Munasinghe daughter of D.J.and Eugine Munasinghe and has two children Aparna & Apsara.
See also
References
- ^ http://www.lankamission.org/content/view/473/44/
- ^ http://www.lankaweb.com/news/items09/150109-8.html
- ^ Profile
- ^ "'He Told the task accomplished'".
{{cite news}}: Text "Official government defence site" ignored (help) - ^ http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501060508-1189385,00.html]
- ^ "Bomb targets Sri Lanka army chief". BBC News. 25 April 2006.
- ^ http://lrrp2.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/tamil-nadu-leaders-condemn-derogatory-talk-of-fonseka/
- ^ General Fonseka launches political campaign
- ^ Is Lt.Gen Sarath Fonseka nurturing a Political Ambition After Retirement?
- ^ Conspiracy against Gen. Sarath Fonseka
- ^ Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksa makes changes in military positions
- ^ Mr. Fonseka the Next President in Sri Lanka
- ^ Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka, LTTE's nemesis
- ^ Sarath Fonseka hints, about his future political plans in Washington
- ^ The man of the moment