“The funeral of Major General (Retd) Janaka Perera and his wife Mrs.Vajira Perera who were killed by a LTTE suicide bomber on 6th October 2008 in Anuradhapura to be held today at Colombo General Cemetery, at 3 p.m. with full military honors.”
Major General Janaka Perera, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, rcds, psc, was born on 1st February 1946 at Panadura in Kalutara District. He had his preliminary education at Cyril Jan’s College, Panadura and St. Joseph College ,Colombo. Thereafter, he entered into University of Ceylon Peradeniya to study geology before quitting to join the Sri Lanka Army 20th December 1966 as an Officer Cadet.
On successful completion of training at Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in England, he was Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant and posted to 1 Field Engineer Regiment of Corps of Sri Lanka Engineers on 19.12.1968.
He was made a Lieutenant on 19th June 1970. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in 1973, Major in 1977, Lieutenant Colonel in 1986, Colonel in 1988, Brigadier in 1989 and Major General in 1996.
As a Brigadier, Janaka Pererea played a major role during Operation Riviresa which led to the liberation of the Jaffna peninsula, during which he commanded the elite 53 Division which consisted of the Independent Brigade, Air Mobile Brigade, Armored Brigade and an Infantry Brigade. Later he was promoted to the post of Deputy Chief of Staff and functioned as Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Command and Staff College.
During his 35 years of distinguished service in the Army be held following key appointments: Overall Operation Commander- North, General Officer Commanding – 23 Division, General Officer Commanding- 51 Division, General Officer Commanding- 53 Division, Brigade Commander- 6 Brigade (Welioya), Commander- Reserve Strike Force, Brigade Commander- Independent Brigade Brigade Commander – 24 Brigade, Area Commander – Kurunegala/Puttalam, Commanding Officer- 5 Field Engineer Regiment, Commandant, Army Command and Staff College, Chief Instructor, Sri Lanka Military Academy and Military Liaison Officer, Ministry of Defence.
He became the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army on 02.04.1999 and the Chief of Staff on 15.06.2000.
Following his retirement in 2001, he was made Sri Lanka’s High Commissioner to Australia and later Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to Indonesia.
Since his retirement from diplomatic career, General Perera started active politics by becoming a member of the United National Party. During the 2008 North Central Provincial Council election, he contested as the UNP Chief Ministerial candidate and gained the highest preferential votes though his party failed to gain the majority in the council, therefore became the opposition leader of the North Central Provincial Council.
Janaka Perera married to Vajira Silva in 1982 who was one of the first six lady officers to join the Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps after training at the Women’s Royal Army Corps College in 1980.
General Janaka Perera, his wife Mrs.Vajira Perera and 27 others were killed & nearly 90 others were injured by a LTTE suicide bomber on 6th October 2008 at the opening ceremony of the UNP party office in Anuradhapura, close to old bus stand.
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