Two Royalists commanding Army and Navy

by Dhaneshi YATAWARA

Army Commander Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya Pix: Rukmal Gamage

Making history for the prestigious Royal College, two proud products assumed duties to command the Sri Lanka's Army and the Navy.

The Army Commander Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya and the Navy Commander Rear Admiral Thisara Samarasinghe brought honour not only to their motherland, but to their 'alma mater' making her dignified than ever.

Entering Royal College in 1965 as a primary student Jagath Jayasuriya grew up to be an exceptional young man when he left school in 1977. He completed his higher studies in the science stream and excelled in different spheres, particularly in sports and brought honour and glory to his 'Alma Mater'.

During his brilliant college days since 1960 to 1974 young Thisara Samarasinghe was an outstanding character. His prowess was in many fields. As a sportsman, a disciplined cadet and as a brilliant academic young Samarasinghe was giving vivid signs of a great leader.

July 15, 2009 on which these two Royalists assumed their duties as Commanders will be a golden day in the entire history of Royal College.

School time achievements

Entering Royal College, Colombo in 1960 young Samarasinghe enters into a world where he is shaped to become a real leader.

With his love for cricket he earned many awards for his exceptional sportsmanship. For his great sportsmanship he received athletic colours in 1972 and since 1972 till 1974 he was an active member of the 1st XI Cricket team and in 1973 became the captain of the 'A' team. In the same year he was the vice captain of the senior athletics team.

Being a senior prefect in 1973 and 1974 would have definitely sharpened his leadership qualities as the college demanded strict discipline from the students and a higher level from the school prefects. In 1973 young Samarasinghe becomes the Regimental Sergeant Major in the 3rd Battalion of the Sri Lanka Cadet Corp.

Vision of 19th Commander of the Army

1. Transform the Army to suit national needs

2. To march forward with expanded vision in a non-fighting era

3. More recruits in the near future to meet the national demand

"I'm humbly proud to lead the Army in its new era especially at a time when it has become one of the world's best," said Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya on assuming duties.

After 29 years of brave and dedicated service to the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya assumed duties on July 15, 2009 to serve the Sri Lanka Army as its 19th Commander. He is the third Army Commander hailing from Royal College.

On this significant day the new Army Commander expressed his gratefulness to all those men, Army officers and soldiers, who laid down their lives and lost their limbs to achieve this victory.

His vision for the future is to transform the Army into a professionally trained, motivated, ethical and disciplined force to suit the future demands of the country. "This is a gigantic task as the Army expanded in leaps and bounds during the last three years.

Approximately 80,000 men were recruited during this period. Fighting against terrorism was one aspect of the Sri Lanka Army. With their skills, dedication and disciplined spirits these men can do wonders in the most demanding future development of the country.

As the necessity for the Army to involve more in Government development plan we need more men to meet the targets and in the near future and more recruits will join," said new Army Commander.

Mainly focusing on fighting against terrorism in the past, the Army has to move forward with an expanded vision, understanding the crucial needs of the country. With this clear vision in his mind Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya expects to transform the Army of 200,000 personnel into a national asset.

"Re-organising, restructuring, training all are taking place to suit the future requirements," the Army Commander stressed.

Gloriously praising the former Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka on his lasting commitment in ending LTTE terrorism, Lt. Gen. Jayasuriya insisted that he is fortunate to be an active part of the battle against terrorism as the Security Force Commander Wanni, being among the soldiers who actually went forward.

In his impressive career beginning in 1980 as a Second Lieutenant, the present Army Commander was awarded with many military decorations of which the 'Uttama Seva Padakkama' (USP), Army 50th Anniversary Medal, Long Service Medal and Clasp, 50th Independence Medal, Desha Puthra Sammanaya, North and East Operations Medal, Poorna Bhoomi Padakkama and 'Riviresa' Campaign Service Medal are exceptional.

Lt. Gen. Jayasuriya sustained severe injuries in Operation 'Jayasikuru' in 1998 while serving as the 563 Brigade Commander while travelling in a double cab with four other military personnel towards the highly activated battle front in Olumadu.

The rear wheel got caught to a pressure mine and the blast made him unconscious for five days. The blast killed three other military personnel.

Sports and school

Apart from being an exceptional Army officer, Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya is a colourful active character in the sphere of sports, especially in boxing. To this date Lt. Gen. Jayasuriya is an international referee and a judge in boxing.

Having studied in the Science stream young Jayasuriya was a radiant student excelling in various fields. His prowess as an excellent boxer with great discipline, brought him colours in 1974, 1976 and 1977. He decorated his Alma mater with many colours and awards being a best athlete in school. His contribution to the field of cricket, basketball and hockey also won laurels for his school. He was a college prefect in 1977.

Professional career

Being shaped and polished at his school as a perfect gentleman and with the blessings of his dear parents young Jayasuriya joined the Sri Lanka Army in 1978 as a Cadet Officer.

Passing out from the Intake 10 as first in order of merit on January 23 in 1980, Second Lieutenant Jayasuriya was given the chance to follow the Young Officers Course at the School of Armour in Pakistan and in 1981 he rose to the rank of Lieutenant.

He also followed a Radio Instructor Course at Armoured Corps Centre and School in India in 1982, Senior Tactics Course SLMA and ATS in 1987 and Mid Career Course in the School of Armour in Pakistan in 1988. His excellence saw him rise to the rank of Captain in 1984, Major in 1988. Young Jayasuriya married Manjulika Aruna in 1985 and became a proud father of a son and a daughter.

In 1989 he followed the Defence Services Staff College Course at Wellington in India.

In 1990 he bagged his Masters Degree in Defence studies from the University of Madras and in 1993 he becomes a Lt. Colonel and rose to Colonel rank on January 1, 2001 going on to become Brigadier on December 02 the same year.

Armed with a successful International Defence Management certificate from California, USA in 2004 he rises to the rank of Major General on December 06, 2005.

From July, 1998 till June, 2002 he served as the Military Liaison Officer in the Ministry of Defence. In July, 2002 he became the Commandant of the Sri Lanka Military Academy and served till August, 2004. From December 2004 to August ,2005 he became the Director Operations in the Army Headquarters. In the midst of a worsening terrorist scenario he was made the General Officer Commanding of the 52 Division in Jaffna.

He was appointed as the Wanni Security Forces Commander in August 2007 after he reached Sri Lanka completing the one year long training course at the prestigious National Defence University in China in 2006.

Starting from troop leader position as a Second Lieutenant of the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment, this valiant Army Officer passed a diversity of positions from an adjutant to a Staff Officer, a Squadron Commander, a Brigade Major, a Second in Command, a Commander and a General Officer Commanding as well as an instructor and a trainer during his steady career progress up to the top most platform of the Sri Lanka Army.

Witnessing the worst scenarios to the most pleasant ones of the motherland as well as in the Army during his profession, Lt. Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya as the Army Commander and as a wonderful gentleman would undoubtedly bring glory and prestige in this new era of the Sri Lanka Army.