Lakshman Algama

Major General Chulasoka Lakshman "Lucky" Algama, VSV, USP, ndc, psc (2 June 1940 – 18 December 1999) was a Sri Lankan general. He was a former Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and a United National Party activist after retirement.

Chulasoka Lakshman Algama †
Nickname(s)Lucky
Born(1940-06-02)2 June 1940
Kelaniya, Sri Lanka
Died18 December 1999(1999-12-18) (aged 59)
Ja-Ela, Sri Lanka
Allegiance Sri Lanka
Service/branch Sri Lanka Army
Years of service1963-1995
Rank Major General
Commands heldChief of Staff
Commander Security Forces Headquarters East (SF HQ (E))
Battles/wars1971 Insurrection,
Insurrection 1987-89,
Sri Lankan Civil War
Awards Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya
Uttama Seva Padakkama
Other workUnited National Party activist

Education

Educated at Ananda College, Colombo, Algama graduated from the University of Ceylon, Peradeniya.[1]

Military career

He was commissioned in the Ceylon Army on 10 May 1963 as a Second Lieutenant in the 1st Battalion, Gemunu Watch. He served with the 3rd (Volunteer) Battalion, Gemunu Watch, Army Headquarters, Ministry of Defence, Mullaithivu and Trincomalee Districts; having been promoted to the ranks of Lieutenant in 1964, Captain in 1967, Major in 1974 and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1981. He was appointed first Commanding Officer of the 4th Battalion, Gemunu Watch on 27 December 1985 and served till 31 October 1986. In 1986, he was promoted to Colonel and served as Colonel General Staff at Army Headquarters. Promoted to Brigadier, he was appointed Brigade Commander, 13 Brigade, thereafter Military Secretary. In 1989, he served as deputy to Major General Cecil Waidyaratne in Operation Combine which effectively subdued the Insurrection 1987-89. Attending National Defence College, India and was appointed the Regimental Commandant in 1990; Deputy General Officer Commanding, 2 Division in 1991. In 1992, he was promoted to Major General, he was appointed General Officer Commanding, 3 Division. In 1994, he was appointed Chief of Staff of Army and served till his resignation on 2 June 1995.[1]

Algama held several key posts in the army including Commander Security Forces Headquarters East (SF HQ (E)) and was responsible for enabling the government to hold elections in the eastern province in 1993.[1]

Assassination

He was killed in a suicide bombing that killed twelve people[2][3] and injured another seven[4] at a political rally in Ja-Ela Colombo.[5] The Sri Lankan government claimed that he was killed by an LTTE suicide bomber.[4][6][7][8]

See also

References
  1. Wijeysekera, Jith. "Major General Lukshman Algama: Tailor-made strategist". Island. Retrieved 19 April 2020.
  2. Project Ploughshares: Armed Conflicts Report - Sri Lanka, last update: January 2007
  3. "Suicide Attacks by the LTTE, www.satp.org". Archived from the original on 24 September 2015. Retrieved 17 March 2008.
  4. Five indicted over alleged murder of General Algama,By Susitha R. Fernando Archived 2005-09-26 at the Wayback Machine
  5. More in the millennium, With the war escalating, the new year looks grim
  6. LTTE leader behind General Algama's killing arrested
  7. Sri Lanka's Hard-core Tamil Tiger Rebel Arrested
  8. Fall of Elephant Pass and repercussions, By Shamindra Ferdinando
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