New Chief of Staff in Army appointed

Major General Mahesh Senanayake, currently serving as the Commander Security Forces - Jaffna (SFHQ-J), has been appointed as 50th Chief of Staff (CoS) of the Sri Lanka Army, a statement said. Major General Senanayake who has been the Commander, Security Forces - Jaffna since 28 January 2016 is also the Colonel of the Regiment, Special Forces.

Major General Mahesh Senanayake was enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army on 16 October 1981 and followed the Officer Cadet Intake 16 (Long Course). On successful completion of his training, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and passed out as 1st in order of Merit and won the Sword of Honour. He was subsequently posted to the 1 Plant Engineer Regiment on 23 June 1983 and also had the privilege of serving as the Troop Commander/Squadron Commander in the Sri Lanka Army Plant Engineer Regiment.

In 1989 Major General Mahesh Senanayake volunteered for an inter unit transfer and joined the Regiment of Special Forces to hold the appointment of Squadron Commander of 1st Special Forces Regiment, and later on to command the 3rd Special Forces Regiment which was instrumental in introducing the LRRP concept to the Sri Lanka Army as the war for peace was taking a decisive turn.

Major General Senanayake has held a number of appointments, including the extra Regimental employment at the Sri Lanka Military Academy as an Officer Instructor. He also served as the Regimental Center Commandant of the Special Forces Regiment, Commander 211 Infantry Brigade - Vavuniya, Commander Special Forces Brigade and the General Officer Commanding 52 Division - Varani, Jaffna.

He has also served the staff appointment of Colonel General Staff, 52 Division and Brigadier General Staff at the Security Force Headquarters, Jaffna during the most critical phases of the humanitarian operations before May 2009.