J. G. Balthazar

Brigadier Jerome Gautier "Lyle" Balthazar was a senior Sri Lanka Army officer who served as Commander, Security Forces Jaffna.

J. G. Balthazar
AllegianceSri Lanka
Service/branch Sri Lanka Army
Years of service1951-1973
1981-1984
Rank Brigadier
UnitGemunu Watch
Commands heldCommander, Security Forces Jaffna,
1st Battalion, Gemunu Watch
Battles/wars

Early life and education

Born in the east coast town of Batticalo, Balthazar was educated at St. Michael's College, Batticalo.[1]

Military career

Balthazar joined the newly formed Ceylon Army, received his basic officer training at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant and posted to the Ceylon Light Infantry. In 1961, Captain Balthazar lead the second Ceylon Army peace keeping contingent to the United Nations Operation in the Congo. In May 1962, Captain Balthazar along with Captain T. I. Weeratunga were transferred to the newly formed Gemunu Watch and served as the adjutant of the 1st Battalion. From 1969 to 1970, Major Balthazar served as an Extra ADC to William Gopallawa, Governor-General of Ceylon.[2] Major Balthazar served with the Gemunu Watch in the 1971 Insurrection and in January 1973 was appointed commanding officer of the 1st Battalion, Gemunu Watch having been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. He was an active athlete, competing in Putt Shot, Discus Throw and Javelin at regimental, Defence Services and National Champions.[3][4][5][6][7]

Following a military court of inquiry appointed by Commander of the Army Major General Sepala Attygalle into a complaint against Lieutenant Colonel Balthazar, he was asked to resign his commission by the William Gopallawa, President of Sri Lanka which he did in August 1973. Balthazar won defamation in the District Court against the complaint, but the judgement was overturn later in the appeal court in 1984 and confirmed in the supreme court in 1985.[8]

He was reinstated and was appointed as Commander, Security Forces - Jaffna with the rank of Brigadier in October 1981 taking over from Major General T. I. Weeratunga. As Commander, Security Forces - Jaffna, he had the Army's Task Force 4 Northern and all armed forces units in the province under his command. He initiated military operations to subdue to Tamil militancy taking form in Jaffna in 1983. He was successful in killing Tamil militant leader Charles Lucas Anthony aka Seelan on 15 July 1983. He attempted to raid Tamil militant leader Sellakili's hideout on 24 July 1983. However, Sellakili ambushed one of Balthazar's routine patrols Four Four Bravo killing thirteen soldiers. This incident sparked the Black July riots and is considered to be the start of the Sri Lankan Civil War. He retired in 1984 and was succeeded by Brigadier Nalin Seneviratne.[9][10]

Brigadier Balthazar had received the Ceylon Armed Services Long Service Medal, the Republic of Sri Lanka Armed Services Medal, the Purna Bhumi Padakkama and the United Nations Medal for service in the ONUC.

Family

He married Kamala Antoinette Maisie "Claudia" Perera.[11]

See also

References
  1. Canagaratnam, Ignatius. "More on Rev. Father Harold John Weber". Island. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  2. 1969-70 Fergusons Ceylon Directory (PDF). Retrieved 24 June 2020.
  3. Daniel, Donald C. F.; Taft, Patricia; Wiharta, Sharon (30 July 2008). Peace Operations: Trends, Progress, and Prospects. ISBN 978-1589017238.
  4. "Father Of The Gemunu Watch". gemunuwatchesra.lk. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  5. "The 1st. Battalion of the Gemunu Watch". Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  6. Wimalaratne, V. "Down Memory Lane" (PDF). gemunuwatchesra.lk. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  7. Dissanayaka, T.D.S.A. (2005). War Or Peace in Sri Lanka. p. 61. ISBN 9788179911990. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  8. "BALTHAZARv.HULANGAMUWA AND ANOTHERS". Sri Lanka Law Reports. 2 Sri L.R. 1986. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  9. That massacre upon massacre
  10. Ferdinando, Shamindra. "Black July 1983: A new perspective". Island. Retrieved 18 May 2020.
  11. Sri Lanka Sinhalese Family Genealogy RATNAPALA – Notes Family 3786
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