<p><strong><em>Gen. Sarath Fonseka</em></strong></p>

<p>Gardihewa Sarath Chandralal Fonseka, known as Sarath Fonseka (born 18 December 1950) is a former Commander and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Officer">General</a> of the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka_Army">Sri Lanka Army</a> and a former candidate for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President_of_Sri_Lanka">President of Sri Lanka</a>. As Commander of the Army, he played an instrumental role in ending the 26 year <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_Civil_War">Sri Lankan Civil War</a> in 2009, defeating the militant <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_Tigers_of_Tamil_Eelam">Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam</a> in the process. He later had a public falling out with President <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahinda_Rajapaksa">Mahinda Rajapaksa</a>, and unsuccessfully challenged Rajapaksa in the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_presidential_election,_2010">2010 presidential election</a>.</p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">Fonseka joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1970 and saw extensive action throughout the 26 year civil war, culminating in a term as Commander of the Army from 6th December 2005 &ndash; 15th July 2009. As commander, he oversaw the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eelam_War_IV" style="line-height: 1.6em;">final phase</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lankan_Civil_War" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Sri Lankan Civil War</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, which resulted in the total defeat of the militant </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberation_Tigers_of_Tamil_Eelam" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> organisation. He also survived an assassination attempt when an LTTE suicide bomber attacked his motorcade in April 2006. Following the end of the war Fonseka was promoted to a four star rank in the Sri Lanka Army, becoming the first serving officer to hold a four star rank. He has been described as Sri Lanka&#39;s most successful army commander and his successful conduct of the war led the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Security_Advisor_(India)" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Indian National Security Advisor</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayankote_Kelath_Narayanan" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Kelath Narayanan</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> to describe him as the &quot;best army commander in the world&quot;.</span></p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">A few months after the defeat of the Tamil Tigers, Fonseka was appointed </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_of_the_Defence_Staff_(Sri_Lanka)" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Chief of Defence Staff</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> by President </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahinda_Rajapaksa" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Mahinda Rajapaksa</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">.</span></p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">His candidacy was endorsed by the main opposition parties, and Fonseka became the main opposition candidate challenging President Rajapaksa. He campaigned under the sign of a swan, and the slogan </span><em style="line-height:1.6em">Vishvasaniya Venasak</em><span style="line-height:1.6em"> (A Credible Change). In the election, held on 26th January 2010, he was convincingly defeated by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, who obtained 57% of all votes cast.</span></p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">In school, Fonseka captained the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swimming_(sport)" style="line-height: 1.6em;">swimming</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_polo" style="line-height: 1.6em;">water polo</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> teams.&nbsp; He later represented </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_of_Sri_Lanka" style="line-height: 1.6em;">defence services</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> in these sports.</span></p>

<p><strong style="line-height:1.6em"><em>Military Career in the Sri Lankan Army &ndash; </em></strong><span style="line-height:1.6em">Fonseka joined the Army during peacetime, in 1970, and held a large number of staff appointments. He rose to the rank of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chief_of_Staff" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Chief of Staff</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> of the Sri Lankan army, a post he relinquished to take reins as Commander of the Army in 2005.</span></p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">During his career, Fonseka, was involved in the operations </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Balavegaya" style="line-height: 1.6em;"><em>Balawegaya</em></a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Jayasikurui" style="line-height: 1.6em;"><em>Jayasikuru</em></a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, which led to the capture of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_Pass" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Elephant Pass</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> and </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mankulam_(Sri_Lanka)" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Mankulam</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">. The 6th Battalion of his </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka_Sinha_Regiment" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, which was under siege at </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_Pass" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Elephant Pass</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> in 1991, repulsed the LTTE attack with reinforcements. He served as Deputy General Officer Commanding during </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operation_Riviresa" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Riviresa</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, the capture of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffna" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Jaffna</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> from the Tamil Tigers in December 1995. Later, troops commanded by Fonseka offered stiff resistance to Tamil Tigers in 2000 following the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Battle_of_Elephant_Pass" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Fall of Elephant Pass</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, ultimately having to flee since they were unable to withstand the attack. Fonseka was wounded in 1993 in the Yaldevi operation.</span></p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">Among other appointments, he commanded the 23 Brigade of the Sri Lankan Army at </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polonnaruwa" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Polonnaruwa</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> in 1993, he served in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/General_Staff" style="line-height: 1.6em;">General Staff</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> at Army Headquarters, he was a Centre Commandant of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka_Sinha_Regiment" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, Brigade Commander in Operation Balawegay, Deputy Commandant of the 5 Brigade Group, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mannar,_Sri_Lanka" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Mannar</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, and Coordinating Officer for </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gampaha" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Gampaha</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">.</span></p>

<p><strong style="line-height:1.6em"><em>&quot;Midnight Express&quot;</em></strong></p>

<p>In 1993, the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jaffna">Jaffna</a> Fort was under siege by Tamil Tiger rebels. Then <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colonel">Colonel</a> Fonseka led troops in the &ldquo;<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Midnight_Express_(Military_Operation)&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1">Midnight Express</a>&rdquo; operation to relieve the besieged position. Several hundred soldiers were saved due to the operation.</p>

<p><strong style="line-height:1.6em"><em>Suicide bomb attack</em></strong></p>

<p>On 25 April 2006, Lt. General Fonseka survived an LTTE suicide bomb attack by a pregnant LTTE operative who infiltrated Army Headquarters under the pretext of attending the regular maternity clinic provided for civilians at the military hospital. Fonseka was seriously injured in the attack, and nine others were killed. The General was rushed first to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_hospital">military hospital</a> at Army Headquarters, transferred to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Colombo_General_Hospital&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1">Colombo General Hospital</a> and later flown to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Singapore">Singapore</a> for medical treatment. After recovering from his injuries, he resumed his duties in July 2006.</p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">His awards and decorations in order of precedence, include the Gallantry Medals; </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rana_Wickrama_Padakkama" style="line-height: 1.6em;"><em>Rana Wickrama Padakkama</em></a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> (RWP), </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rana_Sura_Padakkama" style="line-height: 1.6em;"><em>Rana Sura Padakkama</em></a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> (RSP), distinguished service medals; </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishista_Seva_Vibhushanaya" style="line-height: 1.6em;"><em>Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya</em></a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> (VSV), </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uttama_Seva_Padakkama" style="line-height: 1.6em;"><em>Uttama Seva Padakkama</em></a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> (USP) and other notable campaign medals; </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Desha_Putra_Sammanaya" style="line-height: 1.6em;"><em>Desha Putra Sammanaya</em></a><em style="line-height:1.6em">, </em><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purna_Bhumi_Padakkama" style="line-height: 1.6em;"><em>Purna Bhumi Padakkama</em></a><em style="line-height:1.6em">,</em><span style="line-height:1.6em"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_and_East_Operations_Medal" style="line-height: 1.6em;">North and East Operations Medal</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riviresa_Campaign_Services_Medal" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Riviresa Campaign Services Medal</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, and several others.</span></p>

<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiral" style="line-height: 1.6em;"><strong><em>Admiral</em></strong></a><strong style="line-height:1.6em"><em> Wasantha Karannagoda</em></strong></p>

<p><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiral">Admiral</a> Wasantha Karannagoda <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rana_Sura_Padakkama">RSP</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishista_Seva_Vibhushanaya">VSV</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uttama_Seva_Padakkama">USP</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MBA">MBA</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MSc">MSc</a>, ndc, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psc">psc</a>, DISS, PISS, MRIN, MNI, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka_Navy">SLN</a> was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commander_of_the_Navy_(Sri_Lanka)">Commander of the Sri Lankan Navy</a> of <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka">Sri Lanka</a> and current <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=National_Security_Advisor_(Sri_Lanka)&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1">National Security Advisor</a> to the President. Before serving as the Commander of the Navy he commanded four Operational Naval Commands on seven occasions. He has the distinction of being the only officer to be considered to the highest seating of the Commander of the Navy straight from a Naval Area Command. When he retired from his post on 15 July 2009, he was made the Advisor to the President on National Security.</p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">After assuming command of the Navy, he changed the </span><em style="line-height:1.6em">modus operandi</em><span style="line-height:1.6em"> of Sri Lankan Navy operations by increasing deep sea operations against </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LTTE" style="line-height: 1.6em;">LTTE</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> arms. This ensured the success of naval operations against the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LTTE" style="line-height: 1.6em;">LTTE</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> with the destruction of over eight </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LTTE" style="line-height: 1.6em;">LTTE</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> ships within a year.</span></p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">He possesses a Masters in Business Administration as well as in Defence Studies. He is also a member of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Institute_of_Navigation" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Royal Institute of Navigation</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> and the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nautical_Institute&amp;action=edit&amp;redlink=1" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Nautical Institute</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> of the United Kingdom.</span></p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">During his naval carrier he has held many senior commands, including four Operational Naval Commands on seven occasions &ndash; Northern, Eastern and Western Commands twice each and North Central once, for a total period spanning six years, first ever Director General (Operations) at Naval Headquarters, Director Naval Projects and Plans, Director Naval Personnel and Training, Commandant of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_%26_Maritime_Academy" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Naval &amp; Maritime Academy</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, Deputy Area Commander (West), Deputy Area Commander (North) and Deputy Area Commander (East), Deputy Area Commander (south).</span></p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">As a Navigator, he has served many years at sea. His sea career terminated in 1992 on board SLNS </span><em style="line-height:1.6em">Wickrama</em><span style="line-height:1.6em"> (a Sri Lankan navy ship) with the abdication of command and duties as the Commander of the 7th Surveillance Command Squadron. In the early 1980&#39;s he had served as </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flag_Lieutenant" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Flag Lieutenant</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> for </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiral" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Admiral</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basil_Gunasekara" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Basil Gunasekara</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, the then commander of the Navy.</span></p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">During his years in the navy he was awarded the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rana_Sura_Padakkama" style="line-height: 1.6em;"><em>Rana Sura Padakkama</em></a><em style="line-height:1.6em"> medal</em><span style="line-height:1.6em">, the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vishista_Seva_Vibhushanaya" style="line-height: 1.6em;"><em>Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya</em></a><em style="line-height:1.6em">, </em><span style="line-height:1.6em">the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uttama_Seva_Padakkama" style="line-height: 1.6em;"><em>Uttama Seva Padakkama</em></a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> service medals and several other service and campaign medals including the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Lanka_Armed_Services_Long_Service_Medal" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_and_East_Operations_Medal" style="line-height: 1.6em;">North and East Operations Medal</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Purna_Bhumi_Padakkama" style="line-height: 1.6em;"><em>Purna Bhumi Padakkama</em></a><em style="line-height:1.6em">, Riviresa </em><span style="line-height:1.6em">Campaign Services Medal, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Sri_Lanka_Armed_Services_Medal" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, Sri Lanka Navy 50th Anniversary Medal, </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/President%27s_Inauguration_Medal" style="line-height: 1.6em;">President&#39;s Inauguration Medal</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> and the 50th Independence Anniversary Commemoration Medal.</span></p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">He is an alumnus of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asia-Pacific_Center_for_Security_Studies" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, Hawaii, the Near East-South Asia Center for Strategic Studies at the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Defense_University" style="line-height: 1.6em;">National Defense University</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> in Washington D.C., the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joint_Services_Command_and_Staff_College" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Royal Naval Staff College</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> in the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Kingdom" style="line-height: 1.6em;">United Kingdom</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, and the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Defence_College" style="line-height: 1.6em;">National Defence College</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> of Pakistan.</span></p>

<p><span style="line-height:1.6em">After the conclusion of Eelam War IV and the demise of the </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LTTE" style="line-height: 1.6em;">LTTE</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, he was awarded the rank of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Admiral" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Admiral</a><span style="line-height:1.6em"> by the President of Sri Lanka, His Excellency </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mahinda_Rajapakse" style="line-height: 1.6em;">Mahinda Rajapakse</a><span style="line-height:1.6em">, in recognition of his contribution during the campaign. He was made the advisor to the President on National security.</span></p>
