Security Forces Headquarters – East

Security Forces Headquarters – East (SFHQ-E) is a regional command of the Sri Lanka Army, that is responsible for the operational deployment and command all army units stationed in and around the Eastern Province, this includes several divisions and the independent brigades. It is one of the five Security Forces Headquarters and the general officer commanding it is one of the most senior officers in the army, the post is designated as Commander Security Forces Headquarters – East. The current Commander SFHQ-E is a major general . The Security Forces Headquarters – East is based in Minneriya.

Although it is primary a command of the Sri Lanka Army it coordinates operations and deployments of ground units of the Navy, Air Force and police with that of the army in that area. The Sri Lanka Navy units in the Eastern Province come under the Eastern Naval Area Command and Sri Lanka Air Force units come under its own Eastern Zonal Command.

Composition

• 22 Division, based in Trincomalee^[1]
• 23 Division, based in Poonani, Batticaloa District ^[2]
• 24 Division

List of Overall Operations Commanders

• Major General (later General) Shantha Kottegoda, WWV, RWP, VSV, USP, ndc

Previous Commander Security Forces Headquarters - East

• Major General Nanda Mallawaarachchi, RWP, VSV, USP, ndc, psc ^[3]
• Major General Gamini Hettiarachchi
• Major General Sumith Balasuriya
• Major General Parakrama Pannipitiya
• Major General Lakshman Algama

References

1. Security Forces on a realistic path to achieve the set target, Dailynews
2. Bitter battles, heavy toll, Tiger strongholds under siege
3. New SLA Commander post created for the East