Security Forces Headquarters – East (SFHQ-E) is a regional command of the Sri Lanka Army, responsible for the operational deployment and command of all army units stationed in and around the country's Eastern Province. The command was established on 31 October 2003 with 2 divisions, and currently consists of the 22 Division, 23 Division and 24 Division, a total of 8 brigades.[1] The current Commander, SFHQ-E is Maj. Gen. Santhusitha Pananwala, in office since 2 November 2017.[2]
| Security Forces Headquarters – East | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Active | 31 October 2003 – Present |
| Allegiance |  Sri Lanka |
| Branch |  Sri Lanka Army |
| Size | 3 divisions |
| Garrison/HQ | Aselapura Camp, Welikanda, Polonnaruwa |
| Anniversaries | 31 October |
| Engagements | Sri Lankan Civil War |
| Website | army |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | Maj. Gen. Aruna Jayasekera |
Like the other area commands of the Sri Lanka Army, it coordinates operations and deployments of ground units of the Navy, Air Force and Police with that of the army in the area.[1]
Area of responsibility includes Trincomalee District, Batticaloa District, Ampara District and Polonnaruwa District
Composition
edit- 22 Division, based in Trincomalee[3]
- 23 Division, based in Poonani, Batticaloa District[4]
- 24 Division, based in Malwatte
Past Commanders
edit| Rank | Name | Tenure[5] |
|---|---|---|
| Maj. Gen. | N. Mallawaarachchi | 31 October 2003 – 19 December 2004 |
| Maj. Gen. | G. Hettiarachchi | 20 December 2004 – 11 May 2005 |
| Maj. Gen. | T.T.R. De Silva | 12 December 2005 – 18 May 2006 |
| Maj. Gen. | N. Wijesinghe | 19 May 2006 – 18 December 2006 |
| Maj. Gen. | P. Pannipitiya | 18 December 2006 – 28 December 2007 |
| Maj. Gen. | J.J.P.S.T. Liyanage | 28 December 2007 – 16 November 2008 |
| Maj. Gen. | S.M. De A. Rajapakse | 16 November 2008 – 30 November 2009 |
| Maj. Gen. | J.C. Rambukpotha | 30 November 2009 – 1 February 2010 |
| Maj. Gen. | S. Udumalagala | 11 February 2010 – 27 December 2010 |
| Maj. Gen. | M.H.S.B. Perera | 1 January 2011 – 22 August 2011 |
| Maj. Gen. | S.A.A.L. Perera | 23 August 2011 – 19 February 2015 |
| Maj. Gen. | N.J. Walgama | 20 February 2015 – 14 January 2016 |
| Maj. Gen. | K.M.U. Wijeratne | 15 January 2016 – 31 October 2016 |
| Maj. Gen. | D.D.U.K. Hettiarrachchi | 1 November 2016 – 27 March 2017 |
| Maj. Gen. | D.S.N.K. Senadeera | 29 March 2017 – 2 November 2017 |
| Maj. Gen. | H.W.M.S.D.B. Pananwala | 2 November 2017 – 8 November 2018 |
| Maj. Gen. | K.P.A. Jayasekera | 9 November 2018 – October 2019 |
References
edit- ^ a b "History of SFHQ (East)". Sri Lanka Army- SFHQ(E). army.lk. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
- ^ "New East Commander Assumes Office". Sri Lanka Army. army.lk. Retrieved 28 March 2018.
- ^ Security Forces on a realistic path to achieve the set target, Dailynews Archived 2008-08-02 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Bitter battles, heavy toll, Tiger strongholds under siege
- ^ "Past Commanders of SFHQ (East)". Sri Lanka Army- SFHQ(E). army.lk. Retrieved 28 March 2018.