Sarath Fonseka: Difference between revisions
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===Suicide bomb attack=== |
===Suicide bomb attack=== |
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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<ref>http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501060508-1189385,00.html]</ref>, 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 [[Mess|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4941744.stm|title=Bomb targets Sri Lanka army chief|publisher=BBC News|date=25 April 2006}}</ref>. |
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<ref>http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,501060508-1189385,00.html]</ref>, 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 [[Mess|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.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4941744.stm|title=Bomb targets Sri Lanka army chief|publisher=BBC News|date=25 April 2006}}</ref>. |
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===Sinhala Nationalism=== |
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- In an interview to Canada’s National Post in September 2008, Sarath Fonseka had said he “strongly believed that Sri Lanka belongs to [[Sinhalese]],” and that the other communities “must not try to, under the pretext of being a minority, demand undue things.”<ref>http://lrrp2.wordpress.com/2008/12/11/tamil-nadu-leaders-condemn-derogatory-talk-of-fonseka/</ref> |
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==Awards== |
==Awards== |
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Revision as of 05:08, 6 April 2009
Sarath Fonseka | |
|---|---|
| Service | Sri Lanka Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment |
| Commands | Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, Chief of Staff of the Sri Lankan 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 |
Lt Gen Sarath Fonseka RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, rcds, psc, SLSR is a Sri Lankan Army officer who has served throughout the Sri Lankan civil war and been the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army since December 6, 2005. On April 25, 2006 he survived an assassination attempt when a LTTE suicide bomber attacked his motorcade.[1] He is also Sri Lanka's most successful army commander [1]. His continuing run of significant military victories against the LTTE during the ongoing Eelam War IV has led the Indian Defence secretary Mayankote Kelath Narayanan to describe him as the best army commander in the world[2].
Early life and family
Lt. 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. Lieutenant General Fonseka is married to Mrs. Anoma Fonseka and has two daughters, Apsara and Aparna.
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.
His contribution as Deputy General Officer Commanding consisted in conducting operation, 'Riviresa' to capture Jaffna from the Tamil Tigers in December 1995 In the same type, troops commanded by Fonseka offered stiff resistance to Tamil Tigers in 2000 following the fall of Elephant Pass, ultimately having to flee the place not able 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 and reinforcements repulsed the LTTE attack. 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 included 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.
"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 fleeing 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[2], 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.[3].
Sinhala Nationalism
- In an interview to Canada’s National Post in September 2008, Sarath Fonseka had said he “strongly believed that Sri Lanka belongs to Sinhalese,” and that the other communities “must not try to, under the pretext of being a minority, demand undue things.”[4]
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.