Major General Senerath Bandara Assumes Duties as the Commander Security Forces – Jaffna

Major General Senarath Bandara assumed duties as the Commander Security Forces - Jaffna on Sunday, 09 August 2020. A Guard of Honour was extended to the incoming Commander by the troops of the 12th Battalion the Gamunu Watch on arrival at the Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna. He placed his signature in the first official document to mark assuming duty, amidst chanting of Seth Pirith in the presence of General Officers Commanding 51, 52 and 55 Divisions, All Brigade Commanders and Senior Staff Officers of Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna.

Religious dignitaries were also present in the office of the Commander Security Forces - Jaffna to bless him in his new appointment. He planted a sapling of Mango (Magnifera Indica) marking his appointment as the Commander Security Forces – Jaffna. Finally, he participated in the All Ranks tea party organized at the Other Ranks’ Dinning Hall of Security Forces Headquarters followed by the troops address

Being a proud product of Vidyartha College Kandy, he joined the Regular Force of Sri Lanka Army as an Officer Cadet in 1986 and successfully completed the Basic Military Course at Sri Lanka Military Academy Diyatalawa. In 1986 he was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant and was posted to the one of the most respected and reputed Infantry Regiments in Sri Lanka Army “The Gemunu Watch”, since then he counts over 34 years of service in the Sri Lanka Army.

Major General Senarath Bandara is a battle hardened officer, injured three times during the war. As a highly decorated infantry officer, he had been awarded three times with the elite 'Rana Wickrama Paddakkama', two times with 'Rana Sura Paddakkama' and three times with 'Desha Putra Sammanaya' in recognition of the gallantry, invaluable and selfless dedication excelled in face of enemy in battle field. He has served in many command and staff appointments including Commanding Officer 5th Gemunu Watch, Commanding Officer Infantry Training Centre, Colonel General Staff 57 Division, Commander 572 Offensive Brigade during the peak of Humanitarian Operations, Commander 111 Brigade, Director Independent Directorate at Army Headquarters, General Officer Commanding 61 Infantry Division and 54 Infantry Division. Before being appointed to his present appointment he was serving as the Commander Security Forces - East.

The senior officer has followed many local and foreign courses and has attended a number of seminars and workshops in foreign countries. He is recognized with the title 'ndu' by the National Defence University of Pakistan as he was graduated after the successful completion of the National Security and War Course and held a Diplomatic Appointment as the Defence Adviser (DA) at the High Commission of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka in Islamabad – Pakistan from March 2015 to March 2017.

Major General Senerath Bandara is the successor to Major General Ruwan Wanigasooriya as the Commander Security Forces (Jaffna).