Major General Kulatunga, Late Commander SFHQ-(W)

[TamilNet, Monday, 26 June 2006, 18:18 GMT]
Defence correspondents in Colombo describe Major General Parami Kulatunge RSP USP USAWC, as a hardliner and a close associate of the SLA commander Sarath Fonseka who was seriously injured in a suicide attack in front of the Sri Lanka Military Head Quarters in April 2006. Maj.Gen.Kulatunga took over as the new Commander of Security Forces Headquarters - Wanni [SFHQ-(W)] in August 2004, the position he held when he was killed in a bomb explosion in Colombo Monday.

Maj. Gen. Kulatunge had received military training in defense academies of several countries including Singapore, U.S, and Britain. He specialized in Intelligence Operations and Special Operations.

Kulatunge holds a Masters Degree of the prestigious United States Army War College (USAWC).

In as early as 1978 Maj.Gen.Kulatunga had voiced for strong military action to crush Tamil militancy. He had advocated extra-judicial measures against the civilian population and the supporters of the Tamil struggle after the capture of Jaffna, according to ex-militant sources in Jaffna.



In August 2004 Maj.Gen. Parami Kulathunga the Director, General General Staff (DGGS), took over as the new Commander Security Forces Headquarters Wanni [SFHQ-(W)].

Informed sources in Vavuniya said Maj.Gen.Kulatunga was a key SLA figure in intensifying the collaboration between the SLA and the Tamil paramilitary groups, EPDP, EPRLF(v) and PLOTE, in Vanni and Mannar areas.

Once, he wanted Tamil students to be present at a graduation ceremony of a commando training of the Sri Lanka Army troopers in Vavuniya. He also issued instructions to Tamil students not to wear school uniforms in protest marches.

Maj. Gen. Kulatunge, during the Eelam War II during the 90's, quickly established himself as a key commander of the Sri Lanka Army.

Kulatunge, in his position as a commander in SLA Division 54, at the Elephant Pass (EPS) base, made significant contribution in protecting the EPS base of the Sri Lanka Army in mid 90's from falling into the hands of Liberation Tigers.

Born in 1951 and educated in Trinity College, Kandy, Kulatunge joined the Sri Lanka Army in on 20th July 1971 and in 1972 he became 2nd Lieutinent in the 1st Battalion of the Gemunu Watch (GW).

Later he was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant, and Captain. He was appointed SO III at Palay Military Head Quarters in Jaffna on in August 1978. He served in Trincomalee in same position for one year in 1980-81.

Kulatunge was appointed Aide-De-Camp (ADC) to SLA Commander in 1981.

In 1989, he was promoted to Lt. Col. and appointed as an official at the Sri Lankan Defence HQ.

He also served at 23rd Division of the Sri Lanka Army in Major rank, as SO 1, Operational Headquarters and the GSO 1 in 23 Brigade.

He became a Commanding Officer of the 6th Battalion of the Gemunu Watch in 1990. He was again promoted to Colonel rank in 1993 and served as the Deputy Commandant at Kotalawala Defence Academy and the Commanding Officer of the 22 Brigade, in Trincomalee.

Later in 1994, he was made Brigadier and Commanding Officer of SLA 22 Division in Trincomalee where he was to serve as a Co-ordinating Officer, TCO South.

He also served as Deputy Defence Secretary in 1996.

He also served as Director of Training Programme of the Sri Lanka Army and was posted to the Military Head Quarters in Colombo in 1996.

In 1997, he took deputy command (Deputy General Officer Commanding, DGSO) of the 55 Division of the SLA in Mirusuvil, and in 1998 he became General Officer Commanding (GSO) of 54 Division at the EPS base.

In 2000, Kulatunge was made Major General and he served as the 52 Division Commander at the Head Quarters of 52 Division in Varani, Thenmaradchi, Jaffna. Later, in 2001, he served as the GSO of Division 11 in Panagoda.

He was made Security Forces Commander (SFO) of Jaffna in 2003 and later in the same year he became Director, General General Staff (DGGS) in Sri Lanka Army Head Quarters in Colombo.