Hamilton Wanasinghe

Early life

Hamilton Wanasinghe was born in Malwana, a suburb in the capital city of Colombo. He received his primary and secondary education at Ananda College. A keen sportsman, he was the Sergeant Major in the Cadet Platoon during his school days. He was also an active member of the College rifle shooting team, which won many coveted trophies and then later, he joined the army. Wanasinghe also represented Ceylon Inter Dominion small bore rifle shooting competition.He was the first Anandian appointed to the post of the Army Commander

Military career

He joined Ceylon Army as an officer cadet in 1954 and was sent to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst for basic training. Later he was commissioned as an officer in the Ceylon Artillery as a Second Lieutenant. Prior to being appointed as the Army Commander, he has held various portfolios in the Army’s hierarchical order and in 1988 he became the 11th commander of the Sri Lanka Army. During his period Gen. Wanasinghe expanded the Army and raised number of new units including Special Forces .Lt. General Hamilton Wanasinghe commissioned his son Second Lieutinent Sanjaya Wanasinghe whilst he was the Army Commander, first time in The history of Sri Lanka Army . Lt. Colonel Sanjaya Wanasinghe commanded the snipers during Elam War IV as The Commanding Officer - MSTS. On relinquishment of the Commander of Army on 15 November 1991 he was promoted to the rank of General ( first 4 Star General of Sri Lanka) and appointed as the GOC- Joint Operations Command of Sri Lanka . Thereafter he was appointed as the Secretary of Defence -Sri Lanka in 1993 from which position he retired in 1995. He had a rare distinction of holding all three key appointments of the Sri Lanka's Defence establishment at a time country faced southern JVP insurerction and LTTE Second Ealam War . He was appointed as the Secretary Defence on 06th of June 1993 and retired in February 1995.

He commanded Sri Lanka Army during 2nd JVP insurrection (1988–89) and led the Sri Lanka Army which destroyed the JVP leadership and insurrection completely . During this period Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF ) was present in North and East of Sri Lanka and General Wanasinghe had the unprecedented task of maintaining cordial relations in a turbulent period . He commanded Sri Lanka Army during Elam War 11 and was instrumental in liberating Eastern Province and Govt conducted elections thereafter. During this period operations were conducted in North to expand Military control. He ordered Operation Balavegaya to rescue besieged Elephant Pass Army base through an amphibious operation and established a beach head at Vettalikerni to reach Elephant Pass camp.Indian Defence Review in 1991 reported that "Army Commander Lt Gen Hamilton Wanasinghe visited the battlefield frequently and narrowly escaped being killed. " Lt.General Hamilton Wanasinghe as the Commander of the Army risked his own life and was present at Elephant Pass rescue operation Balawegaya along with Late Maj.General Denzil Kobbekaduwa and Task Force Commander Late Brigadier Vijaya Wimalaratne. Operation Balawegaya was launched in June 1991 with assistance of Sri Lanka Navy with an amphibious landing at Vetterlerkani which LTTE leader called it "Mother of All Battles". Victorious Sri Lanka Army troops broke the LTTE siege at EPS.

In November 1993 General Hamilton Wanasinghe - Secretary Defence ordered and executed the rescue Mission of besieged Pooneryn base with an amphibious landing of Army troops assisted by the Navy . ( Sri Lanka' History Vol -V) .