(July 17, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Major General G.A. Chandrasiri was sworn in as the Governor, Northern Province with effect July 15 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa. The post is unique since he will be in charge of the only province that is yet to have a fully fledged, i.e. elected, Provincial Council. Whereas the post of Governor, in the general, is largely ceremonial, in this instance, Maj. Gen. Chandrasiri will ‘enjoy’ full powers since he will be operating in a province without a council and therefore sans ministers overseeing key subjects. Under ordinary circumstances it would be a challenge for anyone. Maj. Gen. Chandrasiri is by training a soldier, not a politician or an administrator and yet few would argue that he is unsuited for the job. Maj. Gen Chandrasiri served in the Jaffna Peninsula on two occasions. He was the Divisional Commander, 52 Division, from 2002-2003 and later, from December 2005 to January 2009, functioned as the Security Forces Commander, Jaffna.
When he took over as Security Forces Commander, Jaffna, both the security situation and the system of civil administration were hardly describable as ‘under control’. Indeed, the apt description tended to be closer to the ‘chaos’ end of the spectrum.
Jaffna at the time was in a terrible state. There were landmines, strikes and hartals. The universities were closed. The LTTE had stopped children from attending school. The civil administration had come to a standstill. Government servants reported to work only to sign-in and go home. Maj. Gen Chandrasiri has to put everything in order, get things moving while at the same time ensuring security and attending to the prerogatives pertaining to dealing with the LTTE, especially after November 2005.
He went about his task methodically, employing just the resources at his disposal. It was all done according to a plan. With the support of the Government Agent who had direct access to him, he got the civil administration back on track. He reactivated the cooperative system to counter the problems caused by the LTTE putting a stop to the movement of goods into the Peninsula.
Within a year and a half, Jaffna was unrecognizable from what it was when Maj. Gen Chandrasiri took over as the de-facto administrative head of the Peninsula. Schools were reopened at 135,000 children were back in the classrooms, along with the teachers. The Government servants were back at their duty stations, attending to the numerous tasks of day to day administration and implementation. The cooperation of I/NGOs was secured, with relevant personnel working under Maj. Gen Chandrasiri, who held monthly meetings to discuss problems and formulated mechanisms to address these. The Jaffna University reopened and some 7000 students were able to pursue their undergraduate education.
Neither was the military element of the overall equation ignored. The security situation in the Peninsula improved and right up to the end of the humanitarian mission to liberate the entire Northern Province from the grip of terrorism there was hardly any incident recorded. Preparations set in place were such that troops were able to break through Muhamalai just 4 days after Maj. Gen Chandrasiri left the Peninsula to take up the post of Competent Authority, Resettlement of IDPs in the North.
The effectiveness of the overall strategy was amply demonstrated in the massively successful ‘Future Minds Carnival and Exhibition’ he organized from December 25-28, 2008 in Jaffna. Over 300,000 people, i.e. almost the entire population in Jaffna attended the event which was organized with the support of schools and other state agencies as well as the private sector.
Maj. Gen Chandrasiri’s efforts have gone a long way not only in normalizing things in the Peninsula but winning the hearts and minds of a community that had previously viewed both the security forces and the Government with suspicion. It is no wonder then that spontaneous celebrations erupted in Jaffna at each significant military victory over the LTTE.
His next posting, one could argue, was even more challenging. Although everyone expected a large exodus of people from LTTE-controlled areas, it was impossible to predict numbers or ascertain the ‘how’ and ‘when’ and ‘where from’. At the beginning, therefore, planning was difficult. On one occasion 100,000 people had arrived, and 80,000 had arrived on another occasion. Facilities had to be provided, systems had to be put in place to feed, shelter and provide medical attention for the IDPs. Maj General Chandrasiri was in fact rudely greeted by chaos.
Within one and a half months, 5 zones in what came to be called the Kadirgamar Relief and Village. More camps had to be set up to accommodate the ever increasing number of people fleeing LTTE-held areas. It was a logistical nightmare but things were quickly brought under control. Systems were established. It has been argued that the discipline and commitment brought to bear on the entire process is the secret of its success. Maj. Gen Chandrasiri was able to marshal his forces, secure the support and contribution of relevant government institutions, public servants as well as I/NGOs to ensure that even though the camps are temporary facilities, all residents had enough food, that the sick were looked after, that there was enough drinking water and adequate sanitation. Things were chaotic to begin with but they moved from ‘chaotic’ to ‘manageable’ to ‘could-be-better’ to ‘reasonable’.
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As Governor of the North, Maj. Gen Chandrasiri will be taking on a new set of challenges. He is returning to these districts not as a soldier with administrative functions in a climate of military threats. The challenges are nevertheless daunting. His work will not be limited to the Jaffna Peninsula, but will cover 5 districts; Jaffna, Mannar, Vavuniya, Kilinochchi and Mullaitivu.
He will have to ensure that the administrative structure is comprehensive, efficient and dynamic. Since the country is fast switching gears and moving into Development Mode in the North in the post-LTTE scenario, he will have to help the Government set up the all necessary infrastructure for speedy resettlement of IDPs as well as the full flowering of the development drive, as per the ‘Uthuru Wasanthaya’ programme headed by Special Advisor to the President and Member of Parliament Basil Rajapaksa. All this will have to happen parallel to the slow and necessary process of demining that’s been currently going on in the war-torn areas.
Maj. Gen Chandrasiri is certainly up to the challenge. He has pointed out that electricity has already been provided to Kilinochchi, Dharmapuram, Oddusuddan and Mullaitivu while the repairing and development of the road network is going on at a pace. There is a lot to be done, obviously. For example, the irrigation system ruined by the LTTE will have to be rehabilitated. Coordinating offices have to be set up and relevant manpower recruited.
Maj General Chandrasiri is not unused to hard work. His earlier stint in Jaffna had seen him working from 6 am to 1 am, with hardly any sleep or rest. The challenge, he says, will be mostly outside of Jaffna as the Government gets ready to resettle IDPs and develop infrastructure. It will not be a piece of cake, but he is convinced that hard work, discipline, overall vision, maximum and efficient use of resources and commitment will deliver the goods.
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PROFILE: Major General G.A. Chandrasiri
Major General GA Chandrasiri was born in 1954. He had his education at St Marys’ College, Chilaw where he excelled in his studies and sports. He was a national class soccer player at the time he was enlisted to the Sri Lanka Army and a recipient of Sri Lanka schools soccer colours in 1972.
Major General Chandrasiri joined the Sri Lanka Army Regular Force as an officer cadet in December 1974. On successful completion of his military training at the Sri Lanka Military Academy in Diyatalawa, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant to the 1st Recce Regiment, Sri Lanka Armoured Corps in October 1976. At the commissioning parade, he was awarded the trophy for the most outstanding officer cadet for military tactics.
He was the first cavalry officer to deploy in Jaffna peninsula with a Troop of Armour (wheeled armoured cars) in June 1977 to assist infantry in counter insurgency operations. From 1977 to 1981 he participated in counter insurgency operations in the northern part of Sri Lanka, especially in Jaffna, Elephant Pass and Poonaryn. During this period he held the appointments of Troop Leader, Regimental Signals Officer and the Assistant Adjutant of 1st Recce Regiment.
He became the Adjutant of 1st Recce Regiment, Sri Lanka Armoured Corps in 1981 and held that appointment till 1983. During his tenure as the Regimental Adjutant, the regiment was involved in many counter terrorist operations in Northern and Eastern parts of Sri Lanka.
In 1983, Major General Chandrasiri was appointed as a squadron commander in his own regiment and participated in series of counter terrorist operations under challenging operational conditions. After his successful command of an armoured squadron for five years, he proceeded to USA in 1989 to follow his Advance Armour Officers course at the Armoured Warfare School, Fort Knox and was graduated with a high aggregate.
On his return from USA, he was appointed as an instructor at the prestigious Sir John Kotelawala Defence University where he lectured the cadets mostly on counter terrorist warfare. He also gained his knowledge on operational staff work at senior level by serving as the General Staff Officer (Grade I) at Operational Headquarters, Ministry of Defence during the period from 1991 to 1992.
Major General Chandrasiri followed the Army Command and Staff course at the Tri Services Command and Staff College in Bangladesh in 1993 and on his return from Bangladesh, assumed the command of 4th Armoured Regiment, Sri Lanka Armoured Corps in 1994. During his tenure of command he was instrumented in transforming the 4th Armored Regiment in to a very viable, offensive mobile force and conducted series of anti terrorist operations in the Wanni region.
After his successful command as a unit commander, he proceeded to follow his Senior Command Course at the College of Combat Mhow in India. He was appointed as the Colonel General Staff of 51 Infantry Division in Jaffna for one year in 1995 and later he took over the command of 511 Infantry Brigade in Jaffna in 1996. He was given the command of the only Armoured Brigade in Sri Lanka Army in 1997 which he commanded for three years with vigor and offensive spirit. During this period he had participated in the renowned and longest operation called “operation Jayasikuru” which was launched to link Vavuniya with Jaffna along the main supply route (A9) and instrumented in gaining many successes against the terrorist including the capture of Omanthei Township.
He was appointed as the Deputy General Officer Commanding 21 Division and the Area Commander Mannar in 2002 and was assigned the command of 52 Infantry Division in Jaffna by the end of same year. As a Divisional commander he has gained his command and administrative experience under a very sensitive environment which was prevailing in Jaffna during that period. After his successful Command of 52 Infantry Division for two years, he was appointed as the Director General General Staff of Joint Operations Headquarters in January 2004 and assisted the Chief of Defence Staff on decision making process at the joint operational level in counter terrorist operations.
In January 2005, Major General Chandrasiri proceeded to India to follow the prestigious National Defence College course in New Delhi. On his return from the NDC in December 2005, he was appointed as the commander of the Security Forces Headquarters Jaffna. He has been holding this prestigious, challenging and very responsible appointment for the last two years and nine months. He carries out his command responsibility to the letter along with his subordinate commanders and instrumented in defending Jaffna peninsula under very challenging and sensitive security environment. He also has gained a wealth of experience in counter terrorist operations and civil administration in Jaffna during this period.
Major General Chandrasiri is a recipient of many decorations and Gallantry awards for his exceptional and distinguished record of service.
Major General Chandrasiri is married and blessed with three children.
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 Major General G.A. Chandrasiri was sworn in as the Governor, Northern Province with effect July 15 by...){kind=link}
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