Govt. accused of nepotism in vital DMI appointment

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Pivithuru Hela Urumaya leader Udaya Gammanpila yesterday (03) accused the National People’s Power (NPP) government of making an attempt to promote a relatively junior officer as the Head of the Directorate of Military Intelligence (DMI).

The former parliamentarian and Attorney-at-Law named the officer holding the rank of Colonel.

Addressing the media at the PHU office at Pita Kotte, Gammanpila alleged that the NPP wanted to bring the DMI under a Colonel married to a senior activist of Lanka Guru Seva Sangamaya.

The one-time JHU stalwart compared the NPP’s actions with that of the Yahapalana administration (2015-2019) comprising the UNP and the SLFP that debilitated the intelligence services. Gammanpila charged that the ruination of the intelligence services facilitated the 2019 Easter Sunday carnage.

According to the PHU leader, five Brigadiers and seven Colonels had been either sidelined or moved to various commands in various parts of the country to accommodate the NPP favourite. Having named all officers concerned, the former Minister pointed out the absurdity in placing one of them as the director of the Army band.

Gammanpila claimed that as a Colonel couldn’t be made the head of the DMI suddenly, the NPP has brought in an Engineers’ officer holding the rank of Brigadier as a temporary measure.

The former Minister said that the issue should be vigorously raised in Parliament as national security is at stake. Responding to The Island queries, the former lawmaker emphasized the responsibility on the part of the NPP to ensure that the once proud intelligence services remained fully geared to meet any eventuality.

Gammanpila also noted the changes that had been effected at the State Intelligence Services (SIS) as well as the Office of the Chief of National Intelligence against the backdrop of the government decision to do away with the Office of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS).