Major General Rohan Daluwatte seems a man cut out for all occasions. A giant of a sort, he is more often at the right place at the right time. For an unassuming, soft spoken man Maj. Gen. Daluwatte never appears to be short of personal victories.
Maj. Gen. Daluwatte is now poised to create a bit of history by becoming the first Operations Chief to assume the mantle of Army Commander.
Maj. Gen. Daluwatte is likely to be appointed the Acting Commander of the Sri Lanka Army next week, with the present Commander Lt. General Gerry de Silva reportedly embarking on an overseas trip.
Behind the scene developments indicate that Lt. Gen. de Silva may go on leave upon his return. This would make way for Maj. Gen. Daluwatte to assume duties as the country's next Army Commander.
Maj. Gen. Daluwatte however, had not received official intimation of the new development, according to sources close to him.
If he is appointed as the successor to Lt. Gen. de Silva, then the question arises as to whether he would still act as the Overall Operations Commander. Given a choice, he would.
President Chandrika Kumaratunga has the final say. Until her decision is officially announced, the military establishment will be kept busy indulging in a guessing game.
Outgoing Commander Lt. Gen. Gerry de Silva would leave, knowing that he could consider himself the most successful commander in recent times, enjoying unprecedented success, as his troops had scored several major victories.
And Maj. Gen. Daluwatte, the man who has had a hand in these recent victories, will get a rich reward, climbing to the top of the military ladder.
There is speculation that Lt. General de Silva may be appointed the Defence Secretary as Mr. Chandananda de Silva has had little impact nor shown any interest in the post.
Lt. General de Silva is expected to leave the country next week on what is reported to be an official trip which would take him to at least three countries.