Sarath Weerasekara

From 2017 he consistently attended all UNHRC sessions in Geneva and challenged the false allegations of the pro LTTE NGOs. In March 2019 at UNHRC, when the UK alleged violations of HR in Sri Lanka, Admiral Weerasekera, in his speech said, that before the UK try to teach Sri Lankans about HR, they should tender a public apology to Sri Lankans for the atrocities they committed in 1818 and return all the Ola leaf books looted from Sri Lanka. He harnessed all the Nationalistic organizations in the country as the convener against the government's activities detrimental to the nation. He is the convener of the National War Heroes Front. He is a pioneer member of Viyathmaga and Eliya organisations inaugurated by Mr. Gotabhaya Rajapaksha.

He directed his first film Gamani in 2011, which is about the LTTE terrorist attack of Gonagala massacre in 1999. The film was critically acclaimed and also won many awards.

Retired from the Navy in 2006. Then President Mahinda Rajapaksa, on advise of the then Secretary of Defence Gotabaya Rajapaksa appointed him as the first Director General of the Civil Security Force. He transformed the former Gramarakshaka Force into a professional Civil Defence Force and protected all the Border villages from terrorist attacks during the war.

In 2003 when he was the Commander Eastern Naval Area, during the " Peace Accord" , the LTTE vehemently protested to the placing of a Buddha statute in Trincomalee town on Vesak day by the Sinhalese. The terrorists brought the entire town to a standstill by forcibly closing all shops, fuel stations, public transport and tried to destroy the Buddha statue by throwing grenades. When the police and the Army were under orders not to interfere as it was peace time, on the third day Rear Admiral Weerasekera, on his own initiative, took charge of the situation, proceeded to the town with naval troops, guarded the Buddha statue and brought back the town to normal. Within two days, at the demand of the LTTE, the then President Chandrika Bandaranayaka removed him from the Eastern Naval Commander appointment, and brought him to Colombo. However, after few days, a new post was created at NHQ as Deputy Chief of Staff and posted appointed him in it.

In 2002, when the government signed the peace accord with LTTE, he was the Commander Northern Naval Area . The LTTE was given full freedom to enter any Army, Navy camp but Admiral Weerasekera never allowed LTTE to enter Mandativu island which was a very important military strategic location. He also never allowed LTTE to come in wearing the cyanide capsule and he was categorized and warned by the government as " anti peace element" in the peace process.

Born in Colombo, 4 th in a family of six. Father was a Chief Jailor in Prisons Department. Elder brother was a Major General in the Army, now a Buddhist priest in Buddangala, Ampara. Father and Mother both from down South. Attended Colombo Nalanda College ( from grade 1-5) and Colombo Ananda College ( from grade 6-13) At Ananda College he was the sergeant of the junior cadet squad and corporal of the senior cadet squad He was the captain of junior and senior football team A senior prefect in College A member of senior athletic team After passing the Advance level examination he Joined the Royal Ceylon Navy in 1971 Aug 1st, followed Basic Training at Naval and Maritime Academy in Trincomalee. Specialised in Naval Gunnery from INS Dronacharya, India Followed the Naval Staff Course in Rhode Island USA Security Studies in Asia Pacific Center for Security Studies in Hawaii USA National Defence College in New Delhi India Senior Executive Course in Washington USA and Prague Czechoslovakia Fast Attack Craft course Tel Aviv, Israel and Pusan South Korea

Joined Royal Ceylon Navy in 1971 when Sri Lanka was still a dominion of the British Commonwealth. Served in all types of warships in the Navy. Volunteered to serve in Fast Attack Craft and was appointed the first Squadron Commander of the Fast Attack Craft Fleet. Fought with LTTE suicide boats at Northern seas.

Out of the 225, he was the only Parliamentarian who opposed to the controversial 19th amendment in the parliament.