Two Security Forces Headquarters established in Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi

Ranil Wijayapala

Implementing its troop deployment plan for the fully liberated Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu districts, the Sri Lanka Army has established two Security Forces Headquarters in Mullaitivu and Kilinochchi to oversee the overall security plan of the two districts, Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka said.

These two Security Forces Headquarters will be established in addition to the Security Forces Headquarters in the Vanni.

Accordingly, Major General Channa Goonetilleke, presently the General Officer Commanding of the 56 Division in Omanthai has been appointed as the Security Forces Commander Kilinochchi whilst appointing Major General Nandana Udawatta, presently the Overall Operations Commander, Anuradhapura as the Security Forces Commander, Mullaitivu.

Major General Channa Goonetilleke, a Field Engineer Officer joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1981. He is an old boy of St. Benedict’s College, Kotahena. Prior to his appointment as the 56 Division GOC he acted as the Commander of the Mannar Area Headquarters.

Major General Nandana Udawatta, an old boy of Royal College Colombo joined the Sri Lanka Army in August 1982. An Armoured Corps Office, prior to his appointment as the Overall Operation Commander Anuradhapura, Major General Udawatta commanded the 59 offensive Division which captured the strategic 1-4 Base complex of the LTTE in the Mullaitivu jungles and LTTE stronghold of Mullaitivu.

He also acted as the Deputy GOC of the 57 Division before commanding the 59 Division.

With the establishment of these new Security Forces Headquarters in Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu all the offensive Divisions and the Task Forces except for the 53 and 58 Divisions will be deployed in the respective areas they are now operating for defensive operations.

The 53 Division under the command of Major General Kamal Gunaratne and 58 Division under the command of Brigadier Shavendra Silva will be kept as two reserve. Army Divisions for offensive operations directly under the command of the Army Commander. These two Divisions will be located in Mankulam and Paranthan respectively.

The 57 Division, Task Forces 3, 5 and 6 and 8 will be attached to the Security Forces Headquarters Kilinochchi.

The Task Force 8 under the command of Colonel G.V. Ravipriya will be deployed in Puthumathalan and Puthukudiyiruppu areas.

The 59 Division, Task Forces 2 and 4 will come under the Security Forces Headquarters in Mullaitivu.

The 56, 61 and 21 Divisions and the Area Headquarters Mannar will remain under Vanni Security Forces Headquarters.

The 55 offensive Division will once again be redeployed under the Jaffna Security Forces Headquarters.

With these new appointments several key appointments in the Sri Lanka Army will also be made accordingly.

Major General Mohan Jayawardhana presently the 52 Division Commander in Jaffna will be appointed to the vacant position of Overall Operation Commander Anuradhapura whilst Brigadier Rohana Bandara, present Task Force 2 Commander appointing to the vacant post General Officer Commanding 56 Division.

Brigadier Nishshanka Ranawana, the present Deputy General Officer Commanding of the 55 Division will be appointed as the Task Force 2 Commander.

Brigadier Sathyapriya Liyanage, Task Forces 3 Commander will be appointed as the 52 Division Commander in Jaffna.

Colonel Sarath Wijesinghe will be appointed to fill the vacant position of Task Force 3 Commander whilst appointing Colonel Raja Rajanayake as the Deputy GOC of the 55 Division Colonel Jayantha Seneviratne will be appointed as the Area Headquarters Commander Weli Oya.