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Major General Deshamanya
Asoka Jayawardena
RWP, RSP, VSV, USP
4th Governor of North Eastern Province
In office
13 November 1998 – 30 November 2004
Preceded by Gamini Fonseka
Succeeded by Tyronne Fernando
Personal details
Nationality Sri Lankan
Spouse Srimathi (m. 1975; d. 2002)
Children Two children
Alma mater S. Thomas' College, Colombo
Military service
Allegiance Sri Lanka
Branch/service Sri Lanka Army
Years of service 19?? - 1998
Rank Major general
Unit Sri Lanka Light Infantry
Commands Security Forces Headquarters - Jaffna
Overall Operational Commander
Battles/wars Sri Lankan Civil War

Major General Deshamanya Asoka Kanthilal Jayawardena, RWP, RSP, VSV, USP, was a Sri Lankan army general and politician. He was the former Provincial Governor of the Governor of North Eastern Province and Secretary to the Minister of Defence.

Military career

Jayawardena was Overall Operational Commander (OOC) of the Sri Lanka Army. In 1997 he was succeeded by Lt. Gen. Srilal Weerasooriya. Jayawardena also served as Security Forces Commander in Jaffna.

Political career

Retiring from the Sri Lanka Army in 1998, Jayawardena was appointed as Governor of North Eastern Province. His predecessor Gamini Fonseka resigned from the office due to a difference of opinion with the President at the time. He is known to be a close confidant of the President Chandrika Kumaratunga, and he is believed to be one of her principal military advisors.

Jayawardena was the first governor of the province to visit the Jaffna peninsula after the establishment of the North Eastern Provincial Council.

Awards

His awards and decorations include the Medals; Rana Wickrama Padakkama (RWP), Rana Sura Padakkama (RSP), Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya (VSV) and Uttama Seva Padakkama (USP).

In 2005 he was awarded the National title, Deshamanya.

Sri Lankan awards

In Order of Precedence

  • Rana Wickrama Padakkama Bar.png  Rana Wickrama Padakkama
  • Rana Sura Padakkama bar.GIF  Rana Sura Padakkama
  • Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya bar.svg  Vishista Seva Vibhushanaya
  • Uttama Seva Padakkama Bar.gif  Uttama Seva Padakkama
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