New Security Force Commander - Jaffna Assumes Office amid Ceremonials

Major General Priyantha Perera of the Gemunu Watch assumed office as the Commander, Security Force - Jaffna on Tuesday 19, January 2021 during a formal ceremony held at the Security Force Headquarters - Jaffna amid multi-religious observances and military formalities. The military formalities commenced with paying tributes to War Heroes Monument at Palaly. On the arrival to the headquarters premises, Major General Priyantha Perera was accorded with a guard turn out and afterwards, he was honoured in a guard of honour parade extended by the troops belong to 12th Battalion The Gemunu Watch Battalion. Amidst blessings of clergy, he left his signature for a formal document to signify the taking over of new appointment.

The new commander made his appearance on the group photograph, flanked by General Officers Commanding 51, 52 and 55 Divisions, Commander Forward Maintenance Area (North), Brigadier General Staff, Brigadier Admin and Quartering, Brigade Commanders, Senior Staff Officers, Commanding Officers of under command battalions and Staff Officers of Security Force Headquarters – Jaffna. Then he planted a sapling of Mango (Mangifera Indica) to mark the event of taking over duties as the Commander Security Force – Jaffna. Finally, he participated the all ranks tea party organized at the Other Ranks’ dining hall of Security Force Headquarters followed by the troops address at Auditorium.

Major General Priyantha Perera was born on 07 December 1966 in Colombo and is a proud product of Isipathana College Colombo 05. He joined the Sri Lanka Army on 02 June 1986 as an Officer Cadet to the Regular Intake 24. After completing basic training at Kotalawala Defence Academy and Sri Lanka Military Academy, he was selected to follow the Officer Training Course at Officers’ Training School (OTS) - Mangla, Pakistan and Officer Weapon and Young Officers Course at the School of Infantry and Tactics - Quetta Pakistan respectively. Then he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and posted to 4th Battalion The Gemunu Watch on 18 May 1987.

During his illustrious military career, he has served discharging duties in varying appointments in different capacities, mostly in high intensity operational environment in which he was recognized as a valiant infantryman. As a Platoon Commander of 5th Battalion The Gemunu Watch, he took part in Vadamarachchi Operation and subsequently served in Trincomalee area. He made a great commitment in Operation Balavegaya and Operation Akunupahara, to safeguard the motherland from ruthless terrorism. As a Company Commander of 7th Battalion The Gemunu Watch, he actively participated in the first ever Air Mobile Operation conducted to capture Sea Tiger Base in Silavaturai - Mannar. With expertise skills in battle arena he played a key role during Operation Riviresa in liberating the Jaffna Town. While holding the appointment as the Second in Command of 9th Battalion The Gemunu Watch in year 2000, Major General Priyantha Perera devotedly contributed in the operations conducted in the face of debacle at Elephant Pass.

As the Commanding Officer of 7th Battalion The Gemunu Watch under Commando Brigade, he played an active role in liberating Thoppigala in year 2007. Apart from that, the battalion under his command continued to support 593 Infantry Brigade to capture number of LTTE strong holds demolishing many earth bunds utilizing his own initiatives which contributed ultimately to pave the way for troops to capture and hold Mullaitivu area.

Major General Priyantha Perera was posted as the first Brigade Commander of the newly raised 631 Infantry Brigade in Mallavi on 30 October 2008. Under his determined command during Wanni Humanitarian Operation, troops of 631 Infantry Brigade captured number of LTTE key strong holds such as Mankulam Town, Olumadu, Ampakamam up to Udayarkattu Kulam. At this juncture, troops under his leadership succeeded in capturing 'LTTE Submarine Camp complex'. He made his ultimate contribution to assist raising of 593 Infantry Brigade. During this vital stage, he commanded 631 and 593 Infantry Brigades with full complement of battalions made under his command. Later, with the triumphant completion of Humanitarian Operation in year 2009, he was appointed as Commander 533 Infantry Brigade on 06 November 2009 benefitting due consideration to his excellence and devotion proved in the battle arena.

He was appointed as Commander 513 Infantry Brigade, Jaffna on 16 April 2013, where he endured to his best leading civil affairs and many more reconciliation activities in the most sensitive areas in the Jaffna Peninsula. Under his visionary leadership, the 513 Infantry Brigade Headquarters Camp at Keerimalai was constructed managing with meager resources, making it as a model brigade camp in Jaffna peninsula. While holding the appointment of the Commander 513 Infantry Brigade, he was appointed as the overlooking General Officer Commanding of 51 Infantry Division from 28 May 2013 to 20 June 2013. Then he commanded the 144 Infantry Brigade in Akuregoda from 30 April 2015 to 30 August 2017 where he has been entrusted on the accomplishment of tasks as the officer responsible for the safety, security and health management of Defence Headquarters Complex construction project at Akuregoda under the Ministry of Defence. Having relinquished the appointment at Defence Headquarters Complex project, Major General Priyantha Perera assumed duties as 16th General Officer Commanding of 59 Infantry Division in Mullaitivu on 19 December 2019. Consecutively, he was appointed as the Colonel Commandant of Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps on 08 September 2020. Later, the senior officer took over duties as the Commander Security Force – Wanni on 23 October 2020.

Major General Priyantha Perera held number of staff appointments during his career, starting as the first Adjutant of 7th Battalion The Gemunu Watch, Staff Officer II (Insurance) Directorate of Welfare, the Adjutant of Regimental Headquarters Gemunu Watch, General Staff Officer I (Coordinating) of Directorate of Operations, Principle Staff Officer of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Headquarters and Director of Directorate of Veterans Affairs. As a competent officer instructor, he contributed his skills and knowledge to groom young officers at both Army Training School in 1990 and Sri Lanka Military Academy in 1997.

He had acquired a profound military knowledge by attending number of local and foreign military courses such as, Junior Command Course at School of Infantry - Mhow India, Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare Course at Counter-Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School - Vairengte India, Senior Command Course at Army War College - Mhow India, Comprehensive Security Response to Terrorism Course – United State of America and Strategic training course in National Defence University - in China.

In addition to his vast experience and professional military knowledge, this senior officer has obtained academic qualifications through number of courses followed during his career such as, Master’s Strategic Management and Military Science – China, Master’s Degree in Human Resources Management – University of Colombo, Diploma in Diplomacy and International Relations from Bandaranaike International Diplomatic Training Institute (BIDTI), Certificate Course in International Ports and Maritime Code conducted by Sri Lanka Navy, Foreign Ministry and Ministry of Defence, Graduated in Comprehensive Security Response to Terrorism – Asia Pacific Centre for Security Studies in United State of America, Diploma in Senior Defence Management – India, Executive Diploma in Human Resources Management – University of Colombo and National Diploma in Occupational Safety and Health – National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in Sri Lanka.

In recognition of his bravery acts in the face of enemy, he was awarded with the gallantry medals of Rana Wickrama Paddakama, Rana Soora Padakkama and Deshaputhra Paddakkma. As a highly decorated senior officer, he has been decorated with East Humanitarian Operation Medal, Wanni Humanitarian Operation Medal, Poorna bhumi Padakkama, North and East Operations Medal, Vadamarachchi Operation Medal, Reviresa Campaign Service Medal, 50th Independence Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Army 50th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Services Medal, Pasasum Sewa Padakkama and Sewa Abhimani Padakkama due to his sheer commitment, dedicatio, unblemished service rendered and loyal to the organization in his 35 years long military career.

Major General Priyantha Perera is married to Mrs. Pathma Palihawadana Perera and blessed with two daughters Ovini and Nethaki.