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{{short description|Sri Lanka Army |
{{short description|Sri Lanka Army general}} |
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{{Infobox military person |
{{Infobox military person |
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| honorific_prefix = [[General]] |
| honorific_prefix = [[General (Sri Lanka)|Gen.]] |
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| name = |
| name = Gerry de Silva |
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| honorific_suffix = [[Rana Wickrama Padakkama|RWP]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]] |
| honorific_suffix = [[Rana Wickrama Padakkama|RWP]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]] |
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| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1940|05|31}} |
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1940|05|31}} |
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| unit = [[Gemunu Watch]] |
| unit = [[Gemunu Watch]] |
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| commands = [[Commander of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Sri Lankan Army]] |
| commands = [[Commander of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Sri Lankan Army]]<br/>[[Chief of Staff of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Chief of Staff of the Army]] |
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[[General (Sri Lanka)|General]] '''Gerard Hector "Gerry" |
[[General (Sri Lanka)|General]] '''Gerard Hector "Gerry" de Silva''', [[Rana Wickrama Padakkama|RWP]], [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya|VSV]], [[Uttama Seva Padakkama|USP]] (born 31 May 1940) was a senior [[Sri Lanka Army]] officer. He is the 5th Chancellor of [[General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University]] since 20 January 2020. He was the 13th [[Commander of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Commander of the Sri Lankan Army]] and Sri Lankan [[High Commissioner]] to [[Pakistan]].<ref name=Commandants>{{cite web|title=Commandants|url=http://ceylondatabase.net/military.html|publisher=ceylondatabase.net|access-date=21 March 2014|archive-date=22 March 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140322002146/http://ceylondatabase.net/military.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> |
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==Early life and education== |
==Early life and education== |
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Born to [[ |
Born to [[captain]] ([[Quartermaster|QM]]) G.H. de Silva of the [[Ceylon Light Infantry]] and Etta Anna Bianca de Silva, he had five siblings. Educated at [[Saint Joseph's College, Colombo]], where he excelled in Cricket, Swimming and Water Polo.<ref>[https://archives.sundayobserver.lk/2002/04/28/obits.html Obituaries, DE SILVA ETTA ANNA BIANCA (nee Cramer)]</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=You learn, you serve and then you lead: General Gerry De Silva, Sandhurst Alumni |url=https://archives1.sundayobserver.lk/2017/09/17/spotlight/you-learn-you-serve-and-then-you-lead-general-gerry-de-silva-sandhurst-alumni |access-date=14 April 2020 |publisher=Sunday Observer}}</ref> |
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==Military career== |
==Military career== |
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===Early career=== |
===Early career=== |
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Gerry de Silva, joined the [[Ceylon Army]] on 6 May 1960 as a [[cadet officer]] and received his training at [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]] along with [[Denzil Kobbekaduwa]]. He was commissioned as a [[ |
Gerry de Silva, joined the [[Ceylon Army]] on 6 May 1960 as a [[cadet officer]] and received his training at [[Royal Military Academy Sandhurst]] along with [[Denzil Kobbekaduwa]]. He was commissioned as a [[second lieutenant]] on 3 August 1962 in the [[Ceylon Sinha Regiment]] and was transferred to the newly formed [[Gemunu Watch]] a year later. In 1971, Captain de Silva was deployed in [[counterinsurgency]] operations in [[Monaragala]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fernando |first1=Allan |title=Counter Insurgency Operations - Wellawaya April 1971 |url=http://gemunuwatchesra.lk/pdf/Counter%20Insurgency%20Operations%20in%20Wellawaya%20April%201971.pdf |website=gemunuwatchesra.lk |publisher=Gemunu Watch |access-date=28 May 2020}}</ref> during the [[1971 Insurrection]] and thereafter served with the [[Task Force Anti Illicit Immigration]] (TaFAII) with the Gemunu Watch. He followed a Junior Command Course in Pakistan and the Senior Command Course at the [[Army War College, Mhow]]. |
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===Higher command=== |
===Higher command=== |
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In 1981 as a [[ |
In 1981 as a [[lieutenant colonel]] he was the [[Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna|Officer Commanding Troops Jaffna]], before taking over as Commandant, Combat Training School and becoming the first Commandant of [[Infantry Training Centre (Sri Lanka Army)|Infantry Training School]]. As a [[colonel]], he served as [[Security Forces Headquarters – Jaffna|Commander Northern Command]] in 1985. Brigadier G.H. de Silva served as the Principal Staff Officer, [[Joint Operations Command (Sri Lanka)|JOC]]; Commanded 2 Brigade Group, tasked on deception planning and holding operations, whilst being the [[Overall Operational Commander]] for the [[Vadamarachchi Operation]] in 1987. From 1988 to 1989 he served as the Colonel of the Regiment of the Gemunu Watch and attended the [[National Defence College (India)|National Defense College, India]] in 1989. On his return he was appointed [[General officer commanding]], [[23 Division (Sri Lanka)|3 Division]] in January 1990 on its formation and thereafter took over the 2 Division. Thereafter he served as the [[Commandant of the Volunteer Force]] and [[Chief of Staff of the Army (Sri Lanka)|Chief of Staff]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://220.247.214.182/highlanders/bn.php?page=1gw |title=The 1st. Battalion of the Gemunu Watch |access-date=2014-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141112075558/http://220.247.214.182/highlanders/bn.php?page=1gw |archive-date=2014-11-12 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Ferdinando |first1=Shamindra |title=Gerry de Silva remembers army’s most humiliating day |url=http://www.island.lk/2002/11/10/featur03.html |access-date=14 April 2020 |publisher=Island}}</ref> |
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===Commander of the Army=== |
===Commander of the Army=== |
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He was appointed Commander of the Army |
He was appointed Commander of the Army on 1 January 1994. During his tenure the army launched the [[Operation Riviresa]] under the command of Major General Daluwatte which was successful in re-capturing the [[Jaffna Peninsula|Jaffna peninsula]] and pushing the LTTE to the jungles of Wanni with significant loss of men and martial. G.H. de Silva had concerns about capturing the Jaffna peninsula without a land route to supply the large number of troops needed to defend it. This was later proven when the [[Operation Jayasikurui]] failed to open the land route the army needed. He retired on 30 April 1996 being promoted to full general and was succeeded by [[Rohan Daluwatte]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.tamilnet.com/art.html?catid=79&artid=7336 |title=11.11.97 SLA commander predicts easy victory – again |publisher=TamilNet |date=11 November 1997 |access-date=6 September 2012}}</ref> |
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==Honors== |
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He had been awarded the [[Rana Wickrama Padakkama]] (RWP) for gallantry, the [[Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya]] (VSV) and the [[Uttama Seva Padakkama]] (USP) for distinguished service. His other medals include the [[Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal]], [[Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal]], [[Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal]], [[President's Inauguration Medal]], [[Purna Bhumi Padakkama]] and the [[Vadamarachchi Operation Medal]]. |
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<div class="center"> |
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[[File:Rana wickrama medal.svg|110px]] |
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[[File:Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya medal bar.svg|110px]] |
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[[File:Uttama Seva ribbon bar.svg|110px]] |
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[[File:Purna Bhumi Padakkama ribbon bar.svg|110px]] |
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[[File:Vadamarachchi Operation Medal ribbon bar.svg|110px]] |
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[[File:Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services ribbon bar.svg|110px]] |
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[[File:Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal ribbon bar.svg|110px]] |
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[[File:Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal ribbon bar.svg|110px]] |
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[[File:President's Inauguration Medal.svg|110px]] |
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</div> |
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==Later life== |
==Later life== |
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Following his retirement, he was appointed as [[Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan]] while concurrently accredited as Ambassador to |
Following his retirement, he was appointed as [[Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan]] while concurrently accredited as Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzestan. He served in this capacity from 1996 to 1998. He was appointed as the 5th Chancellor of [[General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University]] by President [[Gotabaya Rajapaksa]] with effect from 20 January 2020.{{citation needed|date=March 2023}} |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:De Silva, Gerard Hector}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:De Silva, Gerard Hector}} |
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[[Category:Commanders of the Sri Lanka Army]] |
[[Category:Commanders of the Sri Lanka Army]] |
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[[Category:Sri Lankan generals]] |
[[Category:Sri Lankan full generals]] |
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[[Category:Sinhalese military personnel]] |
[[Category:Sinhalese military personnel]] |
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[[Category:Gemunu Watch officers]] |
[[Category:Gemunu Watch officers]] |
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[[Category:Sinha Regiment officers]] |
[[Category:Sinha Regiment officers]] |
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[[Category:High |
[[Category:High commissioners of Sri Lanka to Pakistan]] |
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[[Category:Sri Lankan Roman Catholics]] |
[[Category:Sri Lankan Roman Catholics]] |
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[[Category:1940 births]] |
[[Category:1940 births]] |
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[[Category:Living people]] |
[[Category:Living people]] |
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[[Category:Army War College, Mhow alumni]] |
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[[Category:National Defence College, India alumni]] |
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Latest revision as of 22:49, 28 August 2024
Gerry de Silva | |
|---|---|
| Born | 31 May 1940 |
| Allegiance | Sri Lanka |
| Service |  Sri Lanka Army |
| Years of service | 1962-1996 |
| Rank |  General |
| Unit | Gemunu Watch |
| Commands | Commander of the Sri Lankan Army Chief of Staff of the Army |
| Awards |  Rana Wickrama Padakkama Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya Uttama Seva Padakkama |
| Other work | Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan |
General Gerard Hector "Gerry" de Silva, RWP, VSV, USP (born 31 May 1940) was a senior Sri Lanka Army officer. He is the 5th Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University since 20 January 2020. He was the 13th Commander of the Sri Lankan Army and Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan.[1]
Early life and education
[edit]Born to captain (QM) G.H. de Silva of the Ceylon Light Infantry and Etta Anna Bianca de Silva, he had five siblings. Educated at Saint Joseph's College, Colombo, where he excelled in Cricket, Swimming and Water Polo.[2][3]
Military career
[edit]Early career
[edit]Gerry de Silva, joined the Ceylon Army on 6 May 1960 as a cadet officer and received his training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst along with Denzil Kobbekaduwa. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 3 August 1962 in the Ceylon Sinha Regiment and was transferred to the newly formed Gemunu Watch a year later. In 1971, Captain de Silva was deployed in counterinsurgency operations in Monaragala[4] during the 1971 Insurrection and thereafter served with the Task Force Anti Illicit Immigration (TaFAII) with the Gemunu Watch. He followed a Junior Command Course in Pakistan and the Senior Command Course at the Army War College, Mhow.
Higher command
[edit]In 1981 as a lieutenant colonel he was the Officer Commanding Troops Jaffna, before taking over as Commandant, Combat Training School and becoming the first Commandant of Infantry Training School. As a colonel, he served as Commander Northern Command in 1985. Brigadier G.H. de Silva served as the Principal Staff Officer, JOC; Commanded 2 Brigade Group, tasked on deception planning and holding operations, whilst being the Overall Operational Commander for the Vadamarachchi Operation in 1987. From 1988 to 1989 he served as the Colonel of the Regiment of the Gemunu Watch and attended the National Defense College, India in 1989. On his return he was appointed General officer commanding, 3 Division in January 1990 on its formation and thereafter took over the 2 Division. Thereafter he served as the Commandant of the Volunteer Force and Chief of Staff.[5][6]
Commander of the Army
[edit]He was appointed Commander of the Army on 1 January 1994. During his tenure the army launched the Operation Riviresa under the command of Major General Daluwatte which was successful in re-capturing the Jaffna peninsula and pushing the LTTE to the jungles of Wanni with significant loss of men and martial. G.H. de Silva had concerns about capturing the Jaffna peninsula without a land route to supply the large number of troops needed to defend it. This was later proven when the Operation Jayasikurui failed to open the land route the army needed. He retired on 30 April 1996 being promoted to full general and was succeeded by Rohan Daluwatte.[7]
Honors
[edit]He had been awarded the Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP) for gallantry, the Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV) and the Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP) for distinguished service. His other medals include the Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal, Sri Lanka Army 25th Anniversary Medal, Sri Lanka Armed Services Long Service Medal, President's Inauguration Medal, Purna Bhumi Padakkama and the Vadamarachchi Operation Medal.
Later life
[edit]Following his retirement, he was appointed as Sri Lankan High Commissioner to Pakistan while concurrently accredited as Ambassador to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzestan. He served in this capacity from 1996 to 1998. He was appointed as the 5th Chancellor of General Sir John Kotelawala Defence University by President Gotabaya Rajapaksa with effect from 20 January 2020.[citation needed]
References
[edit]- ^ "Commandants". ceylondatabase.net. Archived from the original on 22 March 2014. Retrieved 21 March 2014.
- ^ Obituaries, DE SILVA ETTA ANNA BIANCA (nee Cramer)
- ^ "You learn, you serve and then you lead: General Gerry De Silva, Sandhurst Alumni". Sunday Observer. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
- ^ Fernando, Allan. "Counter Insurgency Operations - Wellawaya April 1971" (PDF). gemunuwatchesra.lk. Gemunu Watch. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
- ^ "The 1st. Battalion of the Gemunu Watch". Archived from the original on 12 November 2014. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
- ^ Ferdinando, Shamindra. "Gerry de Silva remembers army's most humiliating day". Island. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
- ^ "11.11.97 SLA commander predicts easy victory – again". TamilNet. 11 November 1997. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
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