A series of senior level transfers have been effected in the army in the wake of Tuesday’s presidential election.
The Sunday Times learns that most of the officers who had been transferred were close to the defeated presidential candidate and war-winning army commander Gen. (retd.) Sarath Fonseka.
These changes came amidst claims by Gen. Fonseka that he has heard several senior officers loyal to him had been discharged or suspended.
Detectives on Friday arrested Brigadier Duminda Keppetiwalana, a serving officer who is Commandant of the Army Training School in Ampara. He was one time Military Assistant when Gen. Fonseka was Commander of the Army. Twenty other retired officers and soldiers are now in custody and more are due to be arrested.
In the latest army shuffle, Major General Daya Ratnayake has been appointed as the new Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army.
He was earlier Commissioner General (Rehabilitation) under the Ministry of Defence.
The incumbent, Major General Mendaka Samarasinghe has been moved out to the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (OCDS). He will serve as Director General (Joint Plans).
Major General Jammika Liyanage, Commandant of the Army’s Volunteer Force has been posted as Director General – General Staff at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (OCDS). Taking over as Commandant of the Volunteer Force is Major General Aruna Jayatilleke until yesterday the Adjutant General.
Among the other changes: Brigadier A.T. de Z. Abeysekera has been appointed as the new Adjutant General.
Major General Srinath Rajapaksa, Director General-General Staff at Army Headquarters has been posted as Director General (Intelligence) at the OCDS.
Major General Athula Jayawardena, Master General Ordnance (MGO) has been appointed as Security Forces Commander, Mullaitivu. He is succeeded by Major General Jagath Rambukpotha. He was Security Forces Commander (East). This post is being taken over by Brigadier Susil Udumalgala.
Major General L.A.D. Ameratunga has been appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) 59 Division. He is succeeded as Director Infantry by Major General L.B.R. Marks, who was until yesterday Security Forces Commander, Jaffna. This post is being taken over by Major General Mahinda Hathurusinghe.
Brigadier Chandana Rajaguru has been appointed as Security Force Commander, Kilinochchi. He succeeds Maj. Gen. Hathurusinghe. Major General Mano Perera, SF Commander, Mullativu has been appointed GOC of Army’s 11 Division.
Major General Janaka Walgama, GOC of the Army’s 65 Division has been appointed Commissioner General (Rehabilitation) at the MoD. He is succeeded as officiating GOC 56 Division by Brigadier
Kumar Herath. Major General Chagi Gallage, GOC 53 Division has been appointed Director General (Training) at Army Headquarters.
Major General Rajitha Silva has been moved from OCDS as GOC of the Army’s 58 Division. |
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