9/19/2007 10:03:39 PM

His Excellency the President and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Hon. Mahinda Rajapaksa today (September 19) extended the service of Navy Commander Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda and Army Commander Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka for one year.

Vice Admiral Wasantha Karannagoda assumed Command of the Sri Lanka Navy on 1st September 2005. In the 55-year history of the Sri Lanka Navy, he is the only officer to be considered for the highest seat of Commander of the Navy straight from a Naval Area Command. Under his leadership Navy has been able to break the backbone of LTTE's gunrunning mechanism by sinking nine LTTE arms-carrying ships. In addition, the Navy has achieved unprecedented success in keeping terrorists' sea units at bay by destroying a large number of attack-craft, including suicide craft, in many sea battles. Vice Admiral Karannagoda's extension comes in to affect from 22nd November 2007.

Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka who is known to be one of the most battle hardened officers in the Army and an exemplary infantryman, became Army's chief on 6th December 2005. Under his leadership, the Sri Lanka Army has been able to turn the tide in the Sri Lanka's war on terror by liberating the Eastern Province from the clutches of LTTE terror. Starting from Mavil Aru in mid-2006, the Army has achieved historic victories over the terrorists at Sampur, Vakarai, Thoppigala and Silavattura battles.

General Fonseka sustained serious injuries when an LTTE suicide bomber made an attempt on his life on 25th April 2006.

Service extension given Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka comes into effect from 17th December 2007.