First serving general in commander capacity honoured

First serving general in commander capacity honoured

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, Secretary Defence Mr. Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Tri Service chiefs, turned towards a momentous path of victory.

The Mavil Aru 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.

Commander of the Army, General Sarath Fonseka, who was accorded a historic Guard of Honour Wednesday (20) morning at 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 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 his own Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment.

The next moment was dignified as all Senior Army Officers in the military tradition extended their greetings to the new General as he stepped out and met them.

Seconds after that, he was warmly greeted by Mrs. Anoma Fonseka, two daughters and the son-in-law who were eagerly awaiting his arrival at the office complex entrance.

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.

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.

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 Tamil 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 Gotabaya Rajapakse 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 Tamil 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.

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 (01 July 2004 - 09 December 2004), Director General Infantry, Army Headquarters and later on commanded the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force between 23 November 2003 and 15 August 2004. In recognition of his fearless leadership, he was twice appointed the Commander, Security Forces Headquarters, Jaffna (21 April- 21 July 2000) and (05 May 2002 to 23 November 2003).

He was also the Commandant, Army Command and Staff College at Batalanda during a very brief period. (05 February-05 May 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 21 July 2000 and remained there until 12 December, 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 10 November 1998 and 15 January 2000.

On being promoted to the two-star rank of Major General on 23 February 1998, Major General Sarath Fonseka became the Colonel of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment on 01 February 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 01 December 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 05th February 1970, he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and subsequently posted to the 1st Battalion, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment on 01st June 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. 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 Mrs. Anoma Fonseka has two daughters, Apsara and Aparna.

Courtesy : Sri Lanka Army

E.L.B. Hurulle passed away

Former minister E.L.B. Hurulle passed away this( 06.04.2009 ) evening.

In 1965, Mr. Hurulle became the Minister of Transport and it was he who introduced diesel replacing steam locomotives. He also the record for ordering the country's first jet plane the Trident. He was appointed Minister of Cultural Affairs in 1977. Mr. Hurulle has been Governor of the Central Province. Governor of the North Central Province and High Commissioner to Australia.

Lahore hero arrives in Sri Lanka

Meher Mohammed Khalil, the driver of the coach that drove the Sri Lankan cricket team to the safety of the Gadaffi Stadium in Lahore on March 3, 2009 when it came under terrorist fire arrived in Sri Lanka last evening.

Kahlai and his wife were hosted to lunch yesterday by the Sri Lanka Consul General Sidath Kumar who later saw them off at the Airport. The Associated Newspapers of Ceylon (ANCL) Ltd invited him for a week long holiday in Sri Lanka as soon as it received the news of Khalil’s selfless act of heroism.

This visit was also facilitated by the Pakistan High Commission in Colombo and the Sri Lankan High Commission in Islamabad. High Commissioner Air Chief Marshal Jayalath Weerakkody held a reception in honour of Khalil on March 20 on which date, he was also given the travel documents to visit Sri Lanka. Khalil will be felicitated by Sri Lanka Cricket this morning and Sports Minister Gamini Lokuge is expected to host a dinner to him.

This afternoon he will visit the ANCL (Lake House.) The Pakistan High Commission has also organized a reception at the High Commission He will also be hosted by the Organization of Professional Associations. Entire traveling and accommodation of the Khalil family in Sri Lanka is provided by Aitken Spence Travels Ltd.

Sports Minister Lokuge has also pledged to give him a cash award of US $ 5,000. Chairperson, Telecom and Mobitel Sri Lanka Leisha de Silva Chandrasena has also pledged Mohammad Khalil an award of US $ 5,000. During his stay he will visit several places of tourist interest.

Peaceful Sri Lankan Protest in Melbourne attacked by LTTE Activists

Written by Administrator

Monday, 06 April 2009 00:00

Around 3000 Sri Lankans of Australian origin gathered in front of the Victorian Parliament today and demanded that the LTTE should give up attempting to survive behind a civilian shield. Their slogans and placards sent a message to the Australian governments about the strength of the anti-LTTE forces in Australia .The orderly manner in which they conducted the demonstration against the LTTE atrocities won the hearts of the Melbournians. The demonstration was held from 10 am to 12 .45 and with the colorful sea of Sri Lankan flags the crowd chanted that they are for a unified one nation where all Sinhalese, Tamils, Muslims, Burghers, Malays and all others should live together and they will never allow the country to be divided according to ethnicity. They vowed that they will do everything to convey their concerns about Australia not banning the LTTE under the Criminal code and allowing LTTE flags and portrait of a wanted criminal, Prabhakaran being exhibited in the streets of Australia, Australia should act urgently to stop the Australian funds channeled to the LTTE. The main theme of the well attended demonstration was that LTTE should allow the forcibly kept Tamil civilians to move freely and join the mainstream Sri Lankans instead of LTTE surviving like parasites. Mr Telmo Languiller . Victorian MP who addressed the crowd was hopeful that the crisis will be resolved and a political solution will have to be sought. But, he said that it is the view of everybody that LTTE must free the civilians unconditionally. He also mentioned that on his visit to Sri Lanka he met representatives of all ethnic groups and he is confident that peace will come Sri Lanka’s way. Several community leaders and organizer of the demonstration addressed the gathering including Dr Jayasuriya of SPUR and they all stressed that Australia and the West should realize the danger of the LTTE to the democratic system and must send a strong signal to the LTTE and their fronts and especially Australia to free the Tamil civilians on whom the battered LTTE now survive. Soon after the conclusions of the proceedings a vehicle exhibiting a large LTTE flag provokingly came towards the demonstration leading to an ugly incident.It is also reported that young pro-LTTE ruffians living in Melbourne, the followers of toothless terrorist Prabhakaran attacked two young participants who were returning home. In some of the suburbs of Melbourne the followers of the toothless Tiger were seen roaming around in cars carrying LTTE terrorist flag until the late evening . Many Melbournians commented how the Tiger cubs in Australia are desperate and how tragic is their urge to act like terrorists reminding the violence of unruly pro-LTTE gangs in France and Canada.

Prabha’s Son Charles Anthony Confirmed Injured

1 Apr 2009 - 15:44

Tiger supremo, Pirabhaharan’s son, Charles Anthony Pirabhaharan (24) alias Dhanasekaran in the LTTE outfit has been confirmed injured during the most recent offensives in Puthukkudiyiruppu, according to Military Intelligence and other technical sources.

Charles Anthony, in charge of LTTE’s manufacturing unit of Weapons and Explosives (IED) was born in Tamil Nadu on 18th April 1985 and trained as an expert for manufacture of explosives cum technician for aircraft engineering in the organization. He was instrumental in producing at least two kinds of powerful LTTE bombs, known as “RAGAVAN I, II, III” and “SAMADANA SHELL”. He was also associated with the production of bombs for use in LTTE aircraft.

Charles Anthony was also the brainchild behind LTTE aerial attacks on Katunayake Sri Lanka Air Force base on 26th March 2007. On 29th April 2007 he was also responsible for sending an LTTE aircraft targeting Kolonnawa Oil storage and Muthurajawela gas storage complex. He engineered the abortive attack on PALALY air base in JAFFNA on 24th April 2007.

He received his name after Tiger leader’s Trincomalee confidante, CHARLES ANTHONY died during a gun battle with Army troops in MEESALAI in 1983. PIRABHAHARAN’s son born, just two years after his death, was named accordingly as a token of respect in his memory.

Courtesy: Army web site

New chairman of Airport and Aviation Services

The Government has appointed Prasanna Wickramasuriya as the new Chairman of Airport and Aviation Services Ltd from today.

This follows the resignation of Chandima Rasaputra, the former Chairman. Airport and Aviation Services also provides air traffic control services and manages the Sri Lanka airspace as well as the Colombo flight information region.

Peacock flight kills child

A tragic death was reported from Settikulam yesterday when a flying peacock knocked and injured a four year old girl in the face.

According to Settikulam police, the child who faced the unexpected tragedy was returning from Service at the Asikulam Catholic Church in Vavuniya with her father and grandmother on a motorbike when a flying peacock knocked her. The child was on the petrol tank and the grandmother was on the pillion when the mishap occurred.

The peacock died on the spot and the child succumbed to her injuries on admission to the Vavuniya General Hospital. Vavuniya Magistrate Alex Raj held the magisterial inquiry while the Post moretem was conducted by Judicial Medical Officer Lavan Selvaratnam. Police Constable Samarasinghe led evidence.

---

Minister Wijesekera out of ICU

Posts and Telecommunications Minister, Mahinda Wijesekera who sustained head injuries in the suicide bomb attack in Akuressa on March 10, has been taken out of the Intensive Care Unit after making steady progress, Colombo National Hospital Director, Dr. Hector Weerasinghe said yesterday. "However he remains in the hospital, with specialists predicting at least a further two month stay," Dr. Weerasinghe added.

He noted that in the case of serious head injuries, like the one Minister Wijesekera had suffered, close scrutiny was needed over a period of time with the recovery process being lengthy.

However Minister Wijesekera has made steady progress, he added.

Minister Wijesekera, 66, suffered serious head injuries in the LTTE suicide attack at the National Milad-Un-Nabi festival at the Jumma Mosque in Akuressa. He was later airlifted to Colombo where he underwent a four hour surgery.

Fifteen people were killed and another 46 sustained injuries in the LTTE attack.

Govt heading for economic crisis, says S.B

Monday, 30 March 2009

Mr. S.B.Dissanayaka, opposition leader of the Central Provincial council said that the goverment was heading to a major financial crisis with several jobs already lost, factories closed and foreign earnings dropping. Mr. Dissanayaka told a news conference that the income of the public was also dropping due to adverse financial situation. He said that earnings from exports including tea and rubber have sharply dropped and the tourism industry is in a crisis. Courtesy : Times Online (Sunday Times)

A blue whale swims in the deep waters off Mirissa

A blue whale swims in the deep waters off Mirissa. Pods of Blue, Sperm and Humpback whales can be easily seen around Sri Lanka for six to eight months a year, while Bryde’s whales are somewhat rarer. Out of 81 species of whales, 27 can be seen in the waters around the island. Sri Lanka has begun whale watching tours to lure foreign visitors to see its natural wonders. AFP

Sangakkara game for multiple captain concept

Colombo: Newly appointed Sri Lanka skipper Kumar Sangakkara on Saturday gave a thumbs up to John Buchanan’s concept of multiple captains and feels it opens up endless possibilities for the game.

Former Australia coach Buchanan, who is in charge of the Kolkata Knight Riders team in the Indian Premier League, proposed more than one captain for the side which has sparked a furious debate in India with Sourav Ganguly fans claiming this was a move to sideline the former India skipper. Sangakkara though found the concept pretty interesting and said it can be tried out in Twenty20 cricket. However, he also said communication between the coach and players would be vital for this experiment to be successful.

"If it’s a way to go forward and it shows results, why not? Everyone is looking for the edge to win. If this is going to provide them that in the future, then it’s well and good," said Sangakkara, who will lead Sri Lanka for the first time in the Twenty20 World Cup in England this June.

Sangakkara said he understands Buchanan’s concept because he believes that leadership is always situational. "I believe that leadership is always situational. It’s a very interesting concept, and I think it’s all about using the best man for a specific situation," he told ‘cricinfo’.

"It will be tried and tested, and then you’ll find that some people are better at ensuring that bowlers are changed correctly, and someone might be good for field settings," said Sangakkara, who represents Kings XI Punjab in the IPL.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, though, claimed Buchanan’s concept was not new in international sport. "Cricket is evolving. In American football, you have an offence and defence, a defensive coach and an offensive coach. And cricket, going forward, might have to look at itself differently. Things like fielding captains and bowling captains are experimental tactics where teams are trying to find the best way forward in Twenty20," said the 31-year-old. He also claimed that Sri Lanka have been employing the basic thought for some time now.

"The traditional idea of one captain doing all the work is never really true. In Sri Lankan cricket, at different times and difficult times, different people step up to lead the side. Also, we’ve always encouraged a team of leaders who are independent thinkers and who are not afraid to contribute ideas and information on and off the field. (PTI)

Soyuz sensor malfunction prompts manual docking

The Soyuz-FG rocket booster with Soyuz TMA-14 spacecraft

KOROLYOV, Russia (AP) - A Russian cosmonaut was forced to dock a Soyuz capsule carrying U.S. billionaire tourist Charles Simonyi manually at the international space station Saturday after a sensor monitoring the engines apparently malfunctioned.

Engineers played down the incident, but it renewed recent questions about Russia's otherwise famously reliable spacecraft.

Vladimir Solovyov, flight director for the Russian space agency Roscosmos, said that just a few minutes before the docking time an autopilot signal went off showing that one of Soyuz engines might have failed.

Cosmonaut Gennady Padalka reported that the engines were operating normally and he took manual control of the capsule to keep an emergency computer program from thrusting the engines and sending the craft backing away from the station.

"We took the decision not to allow that," Solovyov told a news conference at Russia's mission control in Korolyov, on Moscow's outskirts.

"We have to figure out what happened," he said.

The docking by Padalka appeared otherwise smooth and was slightly ahead of schedule, roughly two days after the capsule blasted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan's barren steppe. Applause broke out among space officials and crew relatives gathered at mission control after the hookup was announced.

Cosmonauts typically receive extensive training in the event that Soyuz's autopilot fails or some other problem pops up.

"Everyone worked wonderfully, on the ground and on the space craft. There were no uncontrolled situations," said Vitaly Lopota, chief engineer with Soyuz manufacturer RKK Energia.

Padalka and U.S. astronaut Michael Barratt are joining the station's current crew, while Simonyi, who is making his second trip as a paying customer to the space station, returns to Earth on April 7 along with cosmonaut Yuri Lonchakov and NASA astronaut Michael Fincke.

Some three hours after docking, the crews opened the hatches and Padalka, Barratt and Simonyi floated in to greet the station's occupants - Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, NASA astronaut Michael Fincke and cosmonaut Yury Lonchakov - with hugs, smiles and handshakes.

"We had a great ride up here and the docking was a little bit of excitement but we're very glad to be here and the station looks great," Barratt said later in a video-hook up with mission control.

"It was an awfully fun ride," he said after wishing his wife Michelle a happy anniversary.

Simonyi, a Hungarian-born software designer, exchanged greetings with his brother in Hungarian. Padalka's daughter sang a small song while Padalka played with a small stuffed animal that floated about the station's compartment.

MP’s gang abducts child over dispute with employee, police told

A dispute between UPFA MP Sarana Gunawardena and one of his employees, Primal, over the latter switching allegiance to Prasanna Ranatunga, contesting the forthcoming elections to the WPC yesterday led to the abduction of the employee’s 12-year-old son.

According to a complaint lodged with the Gampaha police, the Attanagalle organizer and three other persons allegedly stormed Primal’s residence at No 160/03, Yakkala, Viragula around 3.00 am and attacked the occupants. Unable to find Primal, the gang allegedly abducted Lahiru Yomal Sampath, a Grade 7 student of the Gampaha Vidyalaya.

It is alleged that Primal was pistol whipped and forcibly held before being released around 8 am yesterday.

Sources said that Primal had been with the MP for about 15 years and recently joined Ranatunga’s camp.

Political sources said that Ranatunga, a former minister of the WPC, was tipped to be the next WP Chief Miniser in case of the UPFA’s victory.

53 Div, TF-8 inflict heavy damages to enemy - East of Puthukkudyirippu

Troops of 53 Division and Task Force 8 (TF-8) confronted with LTTE terrorists while continued that advances in general area east of Puthukkudyirippu causing heavy damages to terrorists yesterday, 29 March, military report said.

Infantrymen of 5 Vijayabahu Infantry Regiment (5 VIR) uncovered 2 bodies of LTTE terrorists killed during the confrontation along with more military items. 3 x T-56 weapons, 1 x pack and 1 x mortar bike are also among the items found.

Meanwhile, troops of 6 Gajaba Regiment (6 GR) uncovered 3 bodies of LTTE terrorists killed during the confrontations took place in the area. 1 x T-56 weapon and 1 x I-Com set are also among the recoveries.

Separately, 7 Gemunu Watch (7 GW) troops uncovered a T-56 weapon and 3 x LTTE packs while conducting a search and clear operation in the same area yesterday.

Navy destroys 04 Sea tiger boats killing 26 sea tiger cadres on board in the seas off Chalai and Mullaithivu

During two fierce gun battles that erupted in the seas off Chalai and Mullaithivu, Sri Lanka Navy destroyed four Sea Tiger boats killing twenty- six Sea Tigers on board, around midnight on the 29th and at dawn on the 30th March 2009.

The units of the Navy's elite Boat Squadrons, the SBS and the RABS, based at Chilawatte and Chundikulum, intercepted and engaged two clusters of sea tiger boats with heavy Naval gunfire on two separate occasions. Three sea tiger boats were destroyed in the seas off Chalai around 29th midnight and the other sea tiger boat was destroyed in the seas off Mullaithivu during the wee hours today (30th March).

During the fierce gun battles that ensued, the Navy inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy repulsing their desperate attempts. The LTTE sea tiger boats were desperately attempting to speed off when the Naval personnel targeted them directing heavy Naval fire. As a consequence, all four sea tiger boats were completely destroyed engulfed in a ball of fire.

Monitoring of the enemy transmissions has revealed that several LTTE leaders including Maran have been killed. One sailor sacrificed his life and three Naval personnel including one officer received injuries in the incident.

Sri Lanka Navy exercises maximum precautions when confronting LTTE Sea Tiger movements in order to maintain zero casualties to Tamil civilians who also use the seas to flee into cleared areas. A well-fortified Naval blockade has been put in place to cut off all sea tiger movements in the seas off Nayaru, Mullaithivu, Chalai and Chundikulum. This has forced LTTE sea tigers to make desperate attempts at breaking through the Naval defences even at the expense of heavy cadre and vessel losses.

Courtesy: SL Navy