General Sarath Fonseka

MC 51310
CPM 2663
W.P.J. Kelum (+940714498022)
BUS 4304 Organizational Culture and Leadership
Department of Business Administration
Faculty of Management Studies and Commerce
University Of Sri Jayewardenepura
 Sarath Fonseka
Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, rcds, psc, SLSR is a Sri
Lankan Army officer who has served throughout the Sri Lankan civil war and been
the Commander of the Sri Lanka Army since December 6, 2005.

Sarath Fonseka
Sri Lanka
Service/branch Sri Lanka Army
Rank Lieutenant General
Unit Sri Lanka Sinha Regiment
Commander of the Sri
Commands Lankan Army,
held Chief of Staff of the Sri
Lankan Army
Sri Lankan Civil War,
Battles/wars
Insurrection 1987-89
Rana Wickrama Padakkama,
Rana Soora Padakkama,
Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya
Awards
(recommended by himself),
Uttama Seva Padakkama,
Desa Pootra Sammanaya

Personal characteristics of Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka

When considering about personal characteristics of Army Commander can be
identified both within and outside the context of work in order to contribute to
successful leadership, it can identify as General personal traits and Task related
personal traits.

General Personal Traits

• Self-confidence.
Which means the leader must be self-assured without being bombastic or
overbearing instills confidence in team members. He has that confidence to
achieve the target. He is always stating that it was possible for the Army to
reach a position of strength not only to achieve its objectives according to a
well conceived plan but also to retain the areas "cleared ". The commander try
to project that self-confidence to team members make use of media or other
channels.
• Honesty, Integrity and Credibility.
In Riviresa operation he had to face many accusations on fraud due to over use
of satellite phone the bill was raised up to 10 Million. But ultimately the court
recover that the reason behind this. That was due to case of the commander
have given his phone to soldiers to contact their parents.
• Enthusiasm.
Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, a warrior in the fight against separatism
that has lasted over two decades in the country became a prime target on the
LTTE hit list. In such a situation also his challenging contributions to the
theater of war received the wrath of Tamil Tiger terrorists since his meticulous
planning and subsequent operations brought about humiliating defeats to the
enemy. On the date of 25th April 2006, a woman suicide bomber who had
penetrated the Army Headquarters premises blew her-self up but the
Commander survived. Earlier also he had to faced to artillery and had to admit
hospital for medical treatment. In such a situation also who continually
provide contribution to the country on his duty with enthusiasm.

• Sense of human.
The Commander said in the program of Thulawa brought cast by ITN that he
is confident that once the Tamil youth in the East see the advantages of peace
they will not go back to join the Terrorists. All communities in the East are
cooperating with the Security Forces and the Government as they can
visualize a bright and peaceful future for all communities. We can presume
that whose sense of human on that statement.

• Extroversion
Giving a strong boost to military ties between India and Sri Lanka,
Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, upon completion
of his productive week-long tour to India returned home on recent past
The visit was aimed at enhancing better understanding between the two
Armies and exchange of views. The commander normally does not wish to
separate from other community and people and who interest to share their
experience and knowledge with him.

• Assertiveness
In a television interview he was being stating that it is my task to eliminate
terrorism as practiced by the LTTE leader while the Sri Lanka Government
(SLG) will resolve the political problem with a political solution, which
statement sows the assertiveness and of his mind.

• High tolerance for frustration

The major factor which enabled the LTTE to increase its strength and
influence was because the Governments during the earlier periods did not
 "act" correctly as they were undecided "to fight or not to fight". This gave the
terrorists time to motivate and build a nexus. He observed and frustrated that
due to lack of a strategy to defeat the LTTE areas which were "cleared" were
soon lost due to the absence of direction and commitment. However he
tolerated that. He thought that one day will arise to defeat the LTTE.

• Emotional stability
But problem is who can’t control anger when he was engaging in operations.
No one can go backward and the soldier who goes back due to heavy fights
had to face shoot from the commander.

Task Related Personal Traits

• Initiative.
This means that, taking action without support and stimulation from others.
The problem is authority to initiate. If the there was the authority with
commander in earliear government periods who always ready to close down
the war. To day that has real authority so now he already has initiated.
• Courage.
He can be identified as a courage person. He had to face many barriers when
he is coming to this position but he did not give up the vision and his target.

• Sensitivity to others and empathy.

This can be described in the way of that ability to place other person’s shoes.
The commander who has been identified group members, their interest and
attitudes and the way which can use to reach and to best communication with
and influence them. When the time of he was engaging in operations he asked
use his personal phone to subordinates to make private calls, he have planed
an implement many project to service to soldiers such as the housing project
of Api wenuwen api, popular school facilities fro children of forces families.
Those every thing realizes his sensitivity.

• Flexibility and Adaptability.

Normally leader must be able to adopt change and ability to adjust difference
situations. Considering about the behavior of the commander, who change the
structure of army and establish clear coordination among difference forces
such as Army, Navy and Air force to match with the modern and required level
of specifications. In addition to that he went for new technology and new
aircraft such as M27 to battle against terrorist when the terrorist went for air
attacks. Those can identify as evidence on flexibility of his leadership.

• Internal Locus of control.

This is closely related to the self-confidence. So leader should have confidence
to change. The Commander said in a television program that “I am confident
that once the Tamil youth in the East see the advantages of peace they will not
go back to join the Terrorists. All communities in the East are cooperating with
the Security Forces and the Government as they can visualize a bright and
peaceful future for all communities”. So it realizes the internal locus of
control.
Cognitive factors of his leadership
Problem solving and intellectual skills can be identified as cognitive factors. In order
to be a successful leader, the leader must mentally ability to inspire people, bring
about constructive changes, and problem solve creatively. The cognitive factors of a
leader can be classified in to several sides and some of those can be identified within
the leadership of Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka.

• Knowledge of business
In order to establish relationship with group members, the leader should have
business knowledge and technical competence and professional competence
related to the business. Otherwise they will not respect to leader.
Considering about the army commander, who have been worked with member
before he appointed into this position and who have more experience,
technical capabilities, and professional competence on operations.

• Insight into People and Situations.

This means that, the leader should have required level of intuition and
common sense to wise choices in selecting people for key assignment, enable
leader to make better work assignment and better job training and
developments.
When appointing senior military officers to difference area, the commander
acted in a way that is expected by a leader who has required level of intuition
and common sense to wise choices in selecting people for key assignment As a
example the brigadier Walgama who previously acted as the chief of
Diyathalawa Army academy but the commander later found the fact that he
have brilliant experience regarding tricomaly area and he has appropriated for
the post of commander of trincomaly area.

• Farsightedness.
In order to establish a corporate strategy and vision, the leader must have the
farsightedness and should have understood of long run implications and
policies.
When considering about commander who have the Farsightedness because
that he know about the future. As a example the commander have the
opportunity to clear the Kilinochchi town area before clear Poonarin area
however he knew that if he did that the army forces had been hem abouted by
the LTTE.
• Openness to experience.
The commander, he also is still learning from subordinates. Who have
addressed this statement in a TV Program.

Leadership Motives
Interests and needs can be derived by been a leader can be identify as leadership
motives. Normally ever leader has intense desire to take responsibility for controlling
others. The army commander Sarath Fonseka’s desire can be identifying as a
socialized power motives because he is acting as a leader to achieve the government
goals and vision that is to eliminate LTTE terrorist from the island to resolve the
political problem with a political solution and he uses power to help other that is
general public. In addition to that within his leadership, the motive of drive and
achievement also can be identified.

Physical and Background Factors

Physical Factors
Height
Generally the leader is taller than non leaders. This tall is an asset to a leader to
commanding and take attention and respect from others. Considering about the height
of the commander he is tallest man in Army forces. We can understand that by
looking at this picture.

Energy and physical stamina

A leader requires considerable energy to work loan hours, frequent travels, making
presentation to various constituents, etc... . Considering about Energy and physical
stamina of commander, he is good at that also but commander of the Army Lieutenant
General Sarath Fonseka who miraculously survived an LTTE (Tamil Tigers) suicide
blast few years ago, returned to his office (31 July 2006) to take up the reins after a
full recovery, so for only three month period he is not well at physical condition to act
as a leader

Background Factors
Back ground factors help leaders to perform task well. As examples people who
received advanced degree may have a good problem solving skills, people who attend
well-known school may have extensive use of networking.
• Family Background
He is a son of southern province well known family. Lieutenant General
Fonseka is married to Mrs. Anoma Fonseka and has two daughters, Apsara
and Aparna. He won the Green Card lottery, to become a current US Green
Card holder.
 • School attended.
Lt. General Fonseka, a graduate of Dharmasoka College, Ambalangoda,
Galle (1958-1965) and Ananda College, Colombo (1966-1969), is a
sportsman who has participated in swimming and water polo, representing
defense services and the country.
• Seniority.
He is now 58 years old. He has worked in army for more than 24 years and by
the time he has tenured in many positions.

Other Environmental Factors

In order to be a successful and effective leader, it should be received support,
encouragement and opportunity from other to do his task well. When considering
about present government has offered the opportunity to eliminate terrorist from the
island, the support and courage receive from general public also.

Leadership style
Basic leadership styles can categorize into three stages. Those are,
• Autocratic
All the decisions of the group are made by unilaterally by the leader. The
leader does not give any authority to subordinators to make any decision.
• Participative
The leader gives considerable amount of autonomy and authority to take in
part in decision making and leader applies participative approach.
• Laissez-Faire
The leader has given full autonomy to subordinators for decision making and
whatever decision to think fit.

The leadership style of Lt. General Fonseka can be categorize into style of
participative because he share decision making with group members and after
decision made by subordinator he gives the consensus, if the decision at considerable
condition.

Source of power
Power means ability to influence others and ability to change others behavior.
Basically there are six source of power. They are as follows:

• Reward Power:
Power based on the influencer’s ability to administer rewards to the
influencee.
 • Coercive Power
Power based on the influencer’s ability to inflict punishment to the influencee.
• Expert Power
Power based on the influencer’s specific knowledge or skills that the
influencee does not have.
• Referent Power
Power based on the desire of the influencee to be like or identify with the
influencer.
• Information Power
Power based on the influencer’s capacity to access information, for which the
influence do not have an access.
• Legitimate power/Authority
Power based on the influencer’s lawful right to influence the influencee.

The power which is exercise by the Lt. General Fonseka to influence and change the
behavior of three forces and their members has been given by lawfully by the
government. So his power can be identify as Legitimate Power.

Effectiveness of Leadership Style

His leadership style enable lower level leaders to make decision, so source of decision
come from difference angle and have enough freedom and authority to give
suggestions and have the opportunity to share difference wide knowledge within an
origination. So nowadays it has proved that he has come to the place where it can see
the path to end of the war. The Commander of the Army stated that today due to the
clear policy of Government, supported by the Secretary Defense it was possible for
the Army to reach a position of strength not only to achieve its objectives according to
a well conceived plan but also to retain the areas "cleared ".

Charismatic or Transformational Leader

Lt. General Fonseka can be categorized as a transformational leader. When discussing
the role of transformational leader, the following characteristics can be identified.

• Raising people’s awareness.

The leader makes aware the group members regarding the important of
achieving the object. The commander also makes aware the soldiers regarding
important of clearing areas control by the LTTE.

• Helping members to look beyond the self-interest

The commander tries to make aware soldiers thinking pattern that the interest
of nation and country than their salary and other personal interest on work in
the Army forces. He uses TV and Radio advertisement for that.

• Helping people to search for self-fulfillment

• Helping members to understand the need for change
• Committing to greatness.

Those every characteristic can be recognized within the leadership of Lt. General
Fonseka.
Communication and Conflicts resolution Skill
Fonseka is one of the most loved and respected Commanders of the Sri Lanka Army
of the recent times who is capable of communicating effectively with everyone at all
levels from soldier to President, and with world wide leaders, in political, social and
spiritual domains.

He said in a interview that there are problems regarding transfer of soldiers that are
needed. But these have been addressed but the operational areas need soldiers. He
dismissed the "myth" that some officers live in comfort while others do not. He
pointed out that the most efficient and "result" oriented Officers will be recognized for
promotion and those who do not make the grade will have to make way for the most
efficient. He expected the Officers to understand this as unlike earlier seniority is not
the criterion for promotion.

Organisational Politics

With the intention of acquiring and maintaining power the General Fonseka use the
political tactics in following manner.

• Developing Power Contracts

He tries to identify and establish friendly, cooperative relationship with
overseas county leaders and commanders.

Giving a strong boost to military ties between India and Sri Lanka,
Commander of the Army Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka, upon completion
of his productive week-long tour to India in resent past.

• Control of Vital information

Vital information related to war and forces are held within few people to
control the power. Those are held within the president, the commander,
Secretary to the security and other few military officers.

• Bring in outside expert

The commander, who is invited to foreign consultants to conduct study
regarding military activities to come in to an opinion.
 • Make a quick showing of result
He has proved that he can clear the all areas, which is controlling by LTTE
terrorist by showing his ability under his leadership; the Sri Lanka Army has
been able to turn the tide in the Sri Lanka's war on terror by liberating the
Eastern Province from the clutches of LTTE terror. Starting from Mavil Aru in
mid-2006, the Army has achieved historic victories over the terrorists at
Sampur, Vakarai, Thoppigala, Silavattura, Madhu, Vidathalthivu, Pooneryn,
and Mankulama battles.

Hence evaluating all above characteristics Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka who is
known to be one of the most battle hardened officers in the Army and an exemplary
infantryman, became Army's chief on 6th December 2005. Under his leadership, the
Sri Lanka Army has been able to turn the tide in the Sri Lanka's war on terror by
liberating the Eastern Province from the clutches of LTTE terror. Starting from Mavil
Aru in mid-2006, the Army has achieved historic victories over the terrorists at
Sampur, Vakarai, Thoppigala, Silavattura, Madhu, Vidathalthivu, Pooneryn, and
Mankulama battles.

References: www.difence.lk , the free encyclopedia of Wikipedia

(www.Wikipedia.com)