ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Ensuring security in Jaffna Peninsula as a part of the national security
- Maintaining combat effectiveness and the professionalism of the force under command
- Assisting the Police in maintaining Law and Order (MACP)
- Coordinating all security related aspects in liaison with Sri Lanka Navy and Sri Lanka Air Force in the area
- Monitoring and surveillance of attempts on regrouping of terrorists
- Assisting local authorities to maintain essential services (MACA)
- Assisting government and local authorities in disaster management activities (MACC)
HISTORY
Security Forces Headquarters (Jaffna) is the main military formation that ensures the security in Jaffna peninsula. It was established as a Task Force to counter illegal immigration in year 1963 under the command of Colonel D S Artigala psc who succeeded later as the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army from year 1967 to 1977. The following officers have discharged duties as the Commanders of Task Force Anti - illicit Immigration from year 1965.
| Colonel | M P Jayaweera | 1965.07.01 | 1966.02.01 |
| Colonel | P D Ramayanayake | 1969.02.01 | 1970.07.15 |
| Colonel | E T De Z Abeysekara | 1970.07.15 | 1971.12.01 |
| Colonel | B K D J E Rodrigo psc | 1971.12.01 | 1972.11.01 |
| Colonel | T I Weeratunga | 1972.12.01 | 1976.03.01 |
| Colonel | A V V Atukorala psc | 1976.03.01 | 1977.01.01 |
| Colonel | M Medawala | 1977.01.01 | 1977.11.30 |
| Colonel | G D Fernando | 1977.12.01 | 1978.10.01 |
In the wake of the war against terrorism the Task Force was renamed as the Task Force 4 Northern in year 1980 and it was commanded by Colonel H G De Silva psc. His successor Colonel H Wanasinghe VSV commanded the Task Force 4 Northern Headquarters from 15 January 1981 to 15 December 1981.
Upon the incident that killed 13 Army soldiers in Thirunelveli, Jaffna in 1981 the Task Force Headquarters was renamed as Northern Command, and functioned under the command of Colonel C H Fernando. The following officers have commanded the Northern Command Headquarters since 1983.
| Colonel | A Ariyapperuma psc | 1983.09.20 | 1984.11.19 |
| Colonel | S M A Jayawardena psc | 1983.12.01 | 1985.07.18 |
| Lieutenant Colonel | D E C Waidyaratne psc | 1985.03.18 | 1985.07.18 |
| Colonel | G H De Silva | 1985.07.18 | 1985.12.01 |
| Colonel | C J Abeyratne | 1985.12.01 | 1986.06.14 |
The intense battle scenario in Northern part of the island required an upgrade of the number of troops and military requirements, thus the Northern Command was renamed as Security Forces Headquarters (Jaffna) in year 1986. It was initially Commanded by Brigadier H Wanasinghe VSV and the following officers assumed office as the Commander Security Forces (Jaffna) later.
| Brigadier | H F Rupasinghe | 1986.01.10 | 1986.08.14 |
| Brigadier | G H De Silva | 1986.08.15 | 1987.08.19 |
| Brigadier | J I De Jayaratne | 1987.08.20 | 1988.08.16 |
| Brigadier | T N De Silva | 1988.08.16 | 1989.01.16 |
| Brigadier | Y Balaratnaraja | 1989.01.17 | 1989.12.20 |
Later in year 1989 this headquarters was renamed as 21 Brigade and its first commander was Brigadier J Nammuni. Later the following officers commanded this headquarters.
| Brigadier | W I V K M Wimalaratne RWP RSP psc | 1991.01.03 | 1992.08.08 |
| Brigadier | R de S Daluwatte ndc psc | 1992.09.09 | 1992.10.21 |
| Brigadier | G P Kulatunga RWP B.A.(Cey) | 1992.10.21 | 1993.09.14 |
| Brigadier | J Nammuni | 1993.09.14 | 1993.11.27 |
| Brigadier | A K Jayawardena RWP RSP psc | 1993.11.27 | 1994.12.06 |
On the failure of peace talks and subsequently the withdrawal of Indian Peace Keeping Forces, Sri Lanka Army launched successful operations to attack LTTE Terrorists in Jaffna peninsula. As a result Sri Lanka Army troops were able to hold the control over Jaffna peninsula under the command of this headquarters. Hence, the 21 Brigade Headquarters was renamed as Task Force 1 in year 1994, and Major General C S Weerasooriya RWP RSP was appointed as the first commander. The following senior officers Commanded the Task Force 1 from year 1995 to 1996.
| Major General | H S Hapuarachchi | 1995.04.09 | 1995.10.07 |
| Brigadier | R P Liyanage RSP | 1995.10.07 | 1996.05.21 |
| Brigadier | L C R Gunawardena RSP USP | 1996.05.21 | 1996.06.19 |
In year 1996 Task Force 1 extended its Tactical Area of Responsibility towards Kilinochchi are in Northern Province. In order to establish a center command within Jaffna peninsula, Task Force 1 Headquarters was converted as Security Forces Headquarters (Jaffna), and it functioned under the command of Major General P A Karunathilake RWP. The following senior officers Commanded this Headquarters from year 1997.
| Major General | L P Balagalla USP ndc IG | 1997.11.01 | 1998.11.09 |
| Major General | L C R Gunawardena RSP USP ndc IG | 1998.11.09 | 1999.11.12 |
| Major General | P S C Munasinghe RWP RSP USP | 1999.11.12 | 1999.12.26 |
| Major General | J K N Jayakodi USP | 1999.12.26 | 2000.01.09 |
| Major General | A M C W P Senevirathne USP psc | 2000.01.20 | 2000.04.20 |
| Major General | G S C Fonseka RWP RSP psc | 2000.04.21 | 2000.07.02 |
| Major General | A E D Wijendra RSP USP ndc psc | 2000.08.03 | 2001.07.02 |
| Major General | M D S Chandrapala RWP RSP USP psc | 2001.07.02 | 2001.08.16 |
| Major General | D S K Wijesooriya RWP RSP USP psc | 2001.08.16 | 2002.05.09 |
| Major General | G S C Fonseka RWP RSP rcds psc | 2002.05.09 | 2003.12.15 |
| Major General | M D S Chandrapala RWP RSP USP ndu psc | 2003.12.16 | 2004.08.19 |
| Major General | S D Thennakoon RSP ndc | 2004.08.20 | 2005.12.12 |
| Major General | G A Chandrasiri RWP USP ndc psc | 2005.12.12 | 2009.01.02 |
| Major General | M C M P Samarasinghe RWP RSP USP ndc psc | 2009.01.02 | 2009.07.23 |
| Major General | G R De Silva USP ndu | 2009.07.23 | 2009.08.19 |
| Major General | L B R Mark RSP USP ndu | 2009.09.19 | 2010.01.07 |
| Major General | M Hathurusinghe RSP ndc IG | 2010.01.07 | 2014.01.09 |
| Major General | G V D Udaya Perera RWP RSP USP USAWC psc | 2014.01.10 | 2014.11.27 |
| Major General | K J Alwis RWP RSP USP ndu psc | 2014.11.28 | 2015.02.20 |
| Major General | N Udawatta WWV RSP VSV USP ndc psc | 2015.02.20 | 2016.01.19 |
| Major General | N U M M W Senanayake RWP RSP USP psc | 2016.01.28 | 2017.03.27 |
| Major General | D D U K Hettiarrachchi RSP USP ndu psc MA | 2017.03.28 | 2019.07.14 |
| Major General | P R Wanigasooriya VSV USP ndu USACGSC | 2019.07.15 | 2020.08.08 |
| Major General | W G H A S Bandara RWP RSP ndu | 2020.08.09 | 2021.01.16 |
| Major General | W L P W Perera RWP RSP ndu | 2021.01.17 | 2021.07.18 |
| Major General | T J Kodituwakku RWP RSP ndu | 2021.07.18 | 2021.12.16 |
| Major General | D G S Senarath Yapa RWP RSP ndu | 2021.12.17 | 2022.06.12 |
| Major General | W M G C S B Wijayasundara RSP USP ndu | 2022.06.13 | 2022.12.01 |
| Major General | DBSN Bothota RWP RSP VSV USP psc | 2022.12.26 | 2023.05.31 |
| Major General | SRK Hettiarachchi RWP RSP VSV USP ndu psc | 2023.06.12 | 2024.01.11 |
| Major General | SWB Welagedara RSP VSV USP ndc | 2024.01.12 | 2024.01.24 |
| Major General | MGWWWMCB Wickramasinghe RWP RSP ndu psc | 2024.01.24 | 2024.12.04 |
