Sarath Fonseka
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LIEUTENANT GENERAL G S C FONSEKA Rana Wickrama Padakkama|RWP, Rana Sura Padakkama|RSP, rcds, psc) has been appointed the Commander of the Sri Lankan Army effective from December 6 2005. Lieutenant General Fonseka has served the Sri Lankan Army during the on-going ethinic conflict in Sri Lanka.
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[edit] Midnight Express
Asthe Jaffna Fort was under siege for a long period, the then Colonel G. S. C Fonseka led troops in the "Midnight Express" operation to rescue the beseiged troops. Incidentally, the incumbent Secretary of Defence Lieutenant Colonel Gotabaya Rajapakse too was with him. Several hundred soldiers were saved in the operation.
[edit] Background
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 contributions as Deputy General Officer Commanding consist of conducting operation, 'Riviresa' to capture Jaffna from the Tamil Tigers in December 1995 In the same vein, troops commanded by Lt. Gen Fonseka offered stiff resistance to Tamil Tigers in 2000.
Lt General Fonseka, was also in operations, 'Balawegaya' and 'Jayasikuru,' that led to the capture of 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 that repulsed the LTTE attack. However, The Elephant Pass campaign is notable for it's heavy losses to the LTTE.
As a Colonel, 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.
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.
[edit] Awards
His awards and decorations include the Gallantry Medals, Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP), Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), Riviresa Campaign Service Medal, Poorna Bhoomi Padakkama, North & East Operations Medal, Desha Putra Sammanaya and several others.
