Published on - 12/10/2003
Major General G. S. C Fonseka RWP RSP rcds psc, who hitherto functioned as Commander Security Forces, Jaffna assumed office as new Commandant Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force (SLAVF) on Tuesday (09 December 2003) amidst blessings of religious dignitaries and Senior Officers who graced the simple but dignified ceremony. His relinquishment as Commander Security Forces, Jaffna was in line with his seniority in service to receive this prestigious appointment as Commandant (SLAVF). He succeeds Major General A. M. C.W. B. Seneviratne USP ndc psc, who recently took office as Deputy Chief of Staff.
A Guard Turn-out preceded the brief ceremony after Major General Fonseka arrived at SLAVF Headquarters where he was introduced to Senior Officers by Deputy Commandant SLAVF Major General Saliya Kulatunge KSV. The new Commandant afterwards lit the traditional lamp to inaugurate the occasion while members of the Maha Sangha recited Pirith to invoke blessings on the new appointment. In the company of Senior Officers, Major General Fonseka then went on to symbolically place his signature for an official document to mark his assumption of new duties at his new office. A simple treat rich with traditional milk rice, kevum, kokis and sweetmeats, entertained the guests on the occasion, culminating the auspicious ceremony.
Major General Fonseka, enlisted to the Army on 05 February 1970 was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the first Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment on 01st June 1971. He was promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant and Captain on 05th February 1973 and 05th February 1976 respectively.
Subsequent to his service placement at Combat Training School, he was promoted to the rank of a Major on 05th February 1984. Having served as Chief Instructor/Officer Commanding/ Deputy Commandant at Infantry Training Centre, Minneriya during 1985-1988, he received his Lt. Colonel promotion in October 1988.
Lieutenant Colonel Fonseka commanded 1st Battalion of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment during 1989-1991. After he was promoted Colonel, he took over the appointment of Coordinating Officer, Gampaha on 01st March 1990 for a brief period during the height of insurgency.
During 1991-1994, he became the Deputy Commander/Commander of 5 Brigade Group Mannar, and Centre Commandant, Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment before he was appointed as Colonel General Staff, Army Headquarters. He also Commanded a Brigade during Operation Balawegaya After being promoted to the rank of a Brigadier on 1st December 1993, he functioned as Deputy General Officer Commanding 51 Division, Jaffna, Commanding Officer, Security Forces Mannar, Coordinating Officer for northeast and again for Kayts/Mandativu, Deputy Officer Commanding 51 Division, Jaffna and also as Officiating General Officer Commanding before he was promoted to the rank of Major General on 23rd February 1998. On 02nd September 1998 he assumed duties as Colonel of the Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment while he was serving as GOC 22 Division, Trincomalee.
He was also appointed the Director General General Staff, Army Headquarters for a brief period after he served as Commander Security Forces, Jaffna and Commanader, Security Forces, Wanni during the year 2000 respectively. Major General Fonseka was appointed Commander, Security Forces, Jaffna on 05th May 2002, and to his credit, he functioned there until 23rd November 2003. During his tenure in Jaffna, he launched a number of humanitarian and welfare projects for the benefit of masses and the soldiers alike.
Major General Fonseka as a professional soldier, during his career spanning over thirty years, has followed the Staff College course in Bangladesh, Company Commanders Course, Pakistan, Battalion Support Weapons Course in India, Commando Officers Course, India, Infantry Officers Advanced Course (USA) and Royal College of Defence Studies in UK. He has also attended several overseas seminars including the Pacific Armies Management Seminar in Japan, Geneva, Iran, India and UK.
