Several top army officers due to retire this year
TamilElam - NOT
Several top army officers due to retire this year
by Shamindra Ferdinando
Sri Lanka Army [SLA], currently engaged in Eelam conflict’s bloodiest
battle will see crucial changes this year. Except for a few, the
majority of Majors General will retire this year after reaching 55
authoritative security sources said.
Major General Jaliya Nanmuni will retire in September this year. Majors
General Siri Peiris , P. A. Karunathilaka and S. V. Jayakody and Asoka
Silva will also retire this year. They will be followed first half of
the next year by Majors General Patrick Fernando and Sathis
Jayasundara.
The Chief of Staff and the Overall Operations Commander [OOC] Major
General Sri Lal Weerasooriya will have to retire in December this year
unless appointed the Commander. Army Commander Lieutenant General Rohan
De S Daluwatte is completing his second extension next month. Daluwatte
who assumed command at the age of 55 two years ago will retire middle of
May unless another extension is given.
Except the Commander, other officers are not permitted to continue
after they reach 55 years. Five Majors General, A.M.U.Seneviratne,
Gemunu Kulathunga, H. S. Hapuarachchi, E.H.Samaratunga and Ananda
Weerasekara had retired since January last year.
A Major General is permitted to serve in that rank only for three
years. However the government has repeatedly given extensions to those
who have not reached the retirement age.
Majors General Weerasooriya, Nanmuni, Jayewardene, Fernando and
Jayasundara have been given one year extensions.
Military officials said that by May next year there will be almost a
total change in the top positions. According to the seniority list,
Daluwatte is followed by Weerasooriya [55 this year], Nanmuni [55 this
year], Jayewardene, Fernando, Jayasundara, Peiris [55 this year],
Karunathilaka [55 this year], Balagalle, Silva [55 this year], Jayakody
[55 this year], Perera, Dias, Gunawardene and Perera.
The last two, Lohan Gunawardene and Wasantha Perera were promoted on
March 31 this year. Military sources said that several senior
brigadiers are expected to be promoted Majors General this year. The six
senior most brigadiers are Nihal Jayakody[ General Officer Commanding
Task Force Three]. He is followed by Anton Wijendra [Commandant-Staff
College], Sarath Munasinghe [security forces spokesman], Shantha
Kottegoda [General Officer Comamnding 51 Division, Jaffna], Chula
Seneviratne [GOC 52 Division, Jaffna] and Sarath Fonseka [GOC 55
Division engaged in Jayasikuru offensive]. They had joined on February
5,28 years ago.
Retirement of several senior officers will ultimately result in crucial
changes in key positions both in the North and East and Colombo. At the
moment brigadiers functions as GOCs, positions held by Majors General.
Both the 51 and 52 divisions are commanded by brigadiers, Kottegoda and
Seneviratne, both previous heads of the Directorate of Military
Intelligence [DMI]. Both have been recommended for promotions.
Lohan Gunawardene, the GOC of the 54 division headquarters at Elephant
Pass has been appointed Major General along with Wasantha Perera
currently the Adjutant General. 51, 52 and 54 divisions are placed under
Security Forces commander , Jaffna Lionel Balagalle.
Of the three divisions engaged in the ongoing Wanni offensive,
Jayasikuru two are commanded by brigadiers. Brigadiers Sarath Fonseka
and Susil Chandrapala are in command of the 55 and 56
respectively. Major General Neil Dias commands the 53 division
comprised commandos, special forces and air mobile battalions.
Major General Janaka Perera headquartered at Minneriya commands the
Third Division deployed in the Batticaloa, Valachchenai, Welikanda and
Polonnaruwa.