Janaka Perera
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| Janaka Perera | |
|---|---|
 Major General Janaka Perera |
|
| Allegiance |  Sri Lanka |
| Service/branch |  Sri Lanka Army |
| Rank | Major General |
| Unit | Commando Regiment |
| Commands held | Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army, Comd Security Forces Jaffna |
| Battles/wars | Insurrection 1987-89, Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Awards | Rana Wickrama Padakkama, Rana Sura Padakkama, Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya, Uttama Seva Padakkama |
| Other work | Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Australia & Ambassador to Indonesia. |
Major General Janaka Perera RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, rcds, psc, CR was the former Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and one of the most distinguished generals in Sri Lanka.
[edit] Education
He was educated at St. Joseph's College, Colombo and joined the Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet and received his training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England. After completing his training he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Sri Lanka Light Infantry, later he transferred to the newly formed Commando Regiment. Maj Gen Pererea is a graduate of the Royal College of Defence Studies.
[edit] Military career
As a Colonel, Janaka Pererea took a major role suppressing the JVP insurrection of 1987-89. He was the Provincial Commander of the North-Western Province as well as being in charge of the special operations of the 'Operation Combine' in Colombo which led to the capture of the JVP leader Rohana Wijeweera.
In the following years he played a significant role in combating the LTTE in the Sri Lankan Civil War. His contribution for the Sri Lankan military effort during the Eelam War III was exceptional. Brigadier Pererea was one of the key planers of the Operation Riviresa which lead to the liberation of the Jaffna peninsula. During the operation he commanded the 53 Division which consisted of the Independent Brigade, Air Mobile Brigade, Armoured Brigade and an Infantry Brigade. Later he was promoted to the post of Deputy Chief of Staff and also had functioned as Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College.
He once again distinguished himself after the fall Elephant Pass in 2000 which forced the SL Army units in Jaffna to fall back. Undertaking the Operation Kinihira after being appointed Commander Security Forces Jaffna, Major General Perera launched an effective counter attack that halted the LTTE advance and succeeded in established the current defense line in the Jaffna peninsula. This prevented the SL Army from being forced to evacuated from the Jaffan peninsula or due to the lack of transport ships, the prospect of being cut off.
Major General Janaka Perera was made Chief of Staff of the army in 2000 but retired in 2001. Following his retirement he was made Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to Australia and later Sri Lanka's Ambassador to Indonesia, but was recalled before his term ended.
| Military offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by L. P. Balagalle |
Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army 2000 - 2001 |
Succeeded by S.H.S. Kottegoda |
