Sarath Fonseka's photostream

General Gardihewa Sarath Chandralal Fonseka (born 17 December 1950, known as Sarath Fonseka) RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, RCDS, PSC, SLSR is a former commander of the Sri Lanka Army and a former Chief of Defence Staff of Sri Lanka. As Commander of the Army Fonseka played an instrumental role in ending the Sri Lankan Civil War in 2009. He was also the first serving officer to be promoted to a four star rank in the Sri Lanka Army.

Fonseka joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1970 and saw action throughout the 26 year civil war, culminating in a term as commander from December 6, 2005 - July 15, 2009. As commander, he oversaw the the final phase of the civil war which resulted in the defeat of the militant Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam organization. Fonseka has been described as Sri Lanka's most successful army commander, and his run of significant military victories against the LTTE during Eelam War IV led the Indian National Security Advisor Mayankote Kelath Narayanan to describe him as the "best army commander in the world".On April 25, 2006 Fonseka survived an assassination attempt when an LTTE suicide bomber attacked his motorcade.Following the end of the war he was appointed Chief of Defence Staff, a post from which he retired on November 16th, 2009.