News
Army strength down to 143,000 from peak of 230,000 at end of war
The total strength of the Sri Lanka Army, which stood at approximately 230,000 at the end of the war, has now decreased to around 143,000, according to the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army (SLA), Major General Dinesh Nanayakkara, during a recent televised interview.
He explained that during the final phase of the war, the Army recruited several intakes within a short period. “Now, a large number of those personnel are retiring after completing their service. Moreover, we have limited recruitment as we no longer require such large numbers of troops. However, we have not compromised national security. New recruits undergo significantly longer training periods, and we have invested more capital in technology,” he said.
Major General Nanayakkara noted that out of the 143,000 troops, one-third are members of the Volunteer Corps.
He also addressed concerns regarding former Army officers involved in unlawful activities, stating that such incidents are minimal compared to the total number of current and former soldiers. “These individuals are often driven by economic desperation or drug addiction. However, the reputational damage they cause to the army is significant. We have taken strict action against such individuals and are taking steps to prevent current or former soldiers from being involved in crime due to poverty or addiction,” he added.
Meanwhile, Director of Sports, Brigadier Thushara Fernando, highlighted that the SLA has 41 committees dedicated to promoting various sports. Currently, 1,275 sportsmen are part of the Army. “Even Duncan White was an Army officer, holding the rank of lieutenant, and Susanthika Jayasinghe was also attached to the Army. These are examples of athletes at the highest level,” he said.
Brigadier Fernando revealed that 1,184 sportsmen from the Army have competed in international tournaments, winning numerous medals and bringing pride to Sri Lanka. “The Army provides for the training, rest, and nutrition of these athletes. We have a sports village where they can rest, train scientifically, and receive proper nutrition,” he noted.
Additionally, Brigadier Fernando announced plans to construct a biomechanics lab. “This will enable our coaches to study the body mechanics of our athletes in greater detail, with a focus on strength and conditioning, rate of force development, and neuromuscular performance. Currently, only the Sabaragamuwa University has a biomechanics lab, and we collaborate closely with them to improve the performance of our athletes,” he explained.
Commanding Officer of the 1st Battalion Sri Lanka Army Women’s Corps, Major Kalhari Perera, reported that the Army includes 673 female officers and 5,418 other ranks. The highest rank achieved by a female officer to date is that of Major General.
The training period for female officers is currently one year, during which they receive a diploma. In contrast, male cadets undergo two years and nine months of training, earning a degree. Male short-commissioned officers receive one year of training, upon which they also receive a diploma. These officers may serve for a maximum period of 20 years or until the age of 45. However, the Army is considering extending the retirement age for female officers to 55 and taking steps to ensure they reach higher ranks.
News
Responsibility for revealing Easter Sunday terror masterminds with CID and courts – Cabinet spokesman
Cabinet spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday (22) said that the responsibility for identifying the masterminds of the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage should be given to the CID and the courts.
Dr. Jayatissa, who is also the Health Minister, said so when the media asked him about the failure on the part of the government to reveal the masterminds behind the terror attacks, in spite of assurance made by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake during a political rally in the East.
The Cabinet spokesman said that the investigations were on track though he couldn’t give a time frame for the investigation. Declaring that the NPP government was proceeding in line with the mandate it received from the people, Dr. Jayatissa said that though the likes of Udaya Gammanpila were likely to react hastily, the government wouldn’t take notice of such Opposition actions.
The Holy See Press Office has announced that Pope Francis’ funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, April 26, 2025, at 10:00 AM in St. Peter’s Square.
Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Dean of the College of Cardinals, will preside at the Mass, which will be concelebrated by Patriarchs, Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, and priests from across the globe.
The Eucharistic celebration will conclude with the Ultima commendatio and the Valedictio, marking the beginning of the Novemdiales, or nine days of mourning and Masses for the repose of Pope Francis’ soul.
The late Pope’s body will then be taken into St. Peter’s Basilica and then to the Basilica of St. Mary Major for entombment.
Earlier, on Wednesday, the coffin containing the Pope’s body, will be carried from the Chapel of the Casa Santa Marta to St. Peter’s Basilica, so that the faithful may pay their respects.
Cardinal Kevin Farrell, Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church, will preside over the rite of translation on April 23, which will begin at 9:00 AM with a moment of prayer.
The procession will pass through Santa Marta Square and the Square of the Roman Protomartyrs, according to the Holy See Press Office.
The procession will then exit through the Arch of the Bells, into St. Peter’s Square, and enter the Vatican Basilica through the central door.
At the Altar of the Confession, the Cardinal Camerlengo will preside over the Liturgy of the Word, at the conclusion of which the visits to the body of the Roman Pontiff will commence.
SJB Colombo District mp S.M. Marikkar yesterday found fault with President Anura Dissanayake for failing to deliver on his promise to reveal the mastermind behind the 2019 Easter Sunday terror attacks.
Addressing the media at the SJB Headquarters, in Colombo, yesterday (22), Marikkar said that the President’s earlier claim—that the main perpetrator would be exposed—had not materialised. “The President said the mastermind behind the Easter attack would be revealed. But it hasn’t been. So, what the President said was a lie,” Marikkar pointed out.
Marikkar asked the government not to politicise the tragedy. “We must not allow the Easter attack to become a political tool or an election promise. The government must stop making false statements and theatrical declarations, and instead, genuinely investigate the roots of the attack,” he urged.
The MP said that no matter which government is in power, the issue must be resolved and justice served to the victims. He urged the current administration not to prolong the matter during its remaining tenure. “If there are delays in uncovering the truth, the government should not mislead the public with vague timelines.”
Marikkar also expressed concern that the administration seems to be taking the promise to expose the perpetrators lightly, despite the importance of the matter to the victims and their families. “If the government truly has a sense of responsibility and accountability for the promises made to the public, it should act decisively on this matter,” he said.
He accused the government of coming to power on the back of false promises. “Stop lying to the people. Only speak of what can be realistically achieved. Avoid making pledges you cannot fulfill,” he said.
Reflecting on the time elapsed, Marikkar noted that it has now been seven months since President Dissanayake took office, and six years since the deadly attacks. He also criticised the President’s latest statement, in which he claimed more time was needed to identify the mastermind. “This is yet another tactic to deceive the public by failing to fulfil promises,” he said. (SI)
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