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Office of CDS likely to be scrapped; top defence changes on the cards

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1 year ago

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President Dissanayake with defence top brass at the Defence Headquarters premises in Akuregoda recently.

By Shamindra Ferdinando

Speculation is rife that the National People’s Power (NPP) government is planning to do away with the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) at the end of this year.

Having examined the overall post-war security requirements, the new government has asserted that it could do away with the Office of the CDS, sources said, adding that the move was in line with overall thinking of the ruling party.

Sri Lanka brought the war to a successful conclusion in May 2009 against many a professed opinion to the contrary.

President Anura Kumara Dissanayake is also the Minister of Defence and head of the National Security Council. The CDS is the highest ranking armed forces officer and outranks respective commanders of the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The incumbent CDS is General Shavendra Silva, former Army commander (2019-2022) and wartime General Officer Commanding (GoC) of the celebrated 58 Division, the former Task Force I.

The origins of the Office of the CDS could be traced back to the Joint Operations Command (JOC) that was established in late Feb. 1985 to meet the growing threat posed by separatist terrorist movements. The JOC was meant to coordinate operations among the tri-services and the police.

After the launch of the second Janatha Vimukthi Peremuna (JVP)-led insurgency in 1987, during the JRJ presidency, the JOC received additional responsibilities. There had been three General Officers Commanding JOC namely. T.I. (Bull) Weeratunga (Feb. 85 to Sept. 85), Cyril Ranatunga (Sept. 85 to July 1988) and Hamilton Wanasinghe (Nov. 1991 to Sept. 1993).

In early January 1999, under controversial circumstances, the JOC was renamed the Joint Operations Bureau (JOB) during CBK presidency.

JOB had been a civilian outfit though Gen. Rohan de S. Daluwatte served it as Chairman from Jan. 1999 to April 2000).

However, during the JOB managed war effort, the government suffered a series of heavy battlefield defeats in the northern theatre. A deeply concerned CBK administration established Joint Operations Headquarters (JoH) in late April 2000 immediately after the LTTE forced 54 Division plus troops out of the strategically located Elephant Pass sector. With that change, Gen. Daluwatte was made the Chief of Defence Staff (January 2000 to June 2002) and he was followed by Lionel Balagalle (Oct. 2003 to June 2004), Admiral Daya Sandagiri (Sept. 2004 to June 2006) and Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera (June 2006 to July 2009).

Following the conclusion of the war, the Rajapaksa government introduced the Chief of Defence Staff Act No. 35 of 2009. In terms of that the duties of the CDS were extended by the Chief of Defence Staff Act No. 35 of 2009 and it was named Office of the CDS.

War-winning Army Commander General Sarath Fonseka (promoted to the rank of Field Marshal in 2015) served as the first CDS appointed under the new Act (July 2009 to Nov 2009). Fonseka resigned to contest the 2010 presidential election.

The following officers subsequently served as CDS: Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke (Nov. 2009 to Aug. 2013), Jagath Jayasuriya (Aug. 2013 to June 2015), Air Chief Marshal Kolitha Gunatilleke (June 2015 to June 2017), Gen. AWJC de Silva (June 2017 to Aug 2017) and Admiral Ravi Wijegunaratne (Aug. 2017 to Dec. 2019).

General Silva, who served as the Acting CDS, was appointed CDS in June 2022 at the height of political turmoil caused by Pohottuwa goons attack on the Galle Face protesters and unprecedented and well-coordinated retaliation carried out by interested parties.

President Ranil Wickremesinghe re-appointed General Silva as CDS for a period of six months – from June 1 to Dec. 31, 2024. Wickremesinghe issued an extraordinary gazette in this regard under Section 3 of the Chief of Defence Staff Act, No. 35 of 2009.

Army Chief General Vikjum Liyanage who received appointment as the Commander of the Army on June 01, 2022 from President Gotabaya Rajapaksa is on his second service extension. Gotabaya Rajapaksa had to flee the country six weeks later after massive crowds overwhelmed the police and the armed forces.

Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera, too, is on his second service extenstion.

Air Vice Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa is on his first service extension after being appointed commander in June 2023.

The following are Maj. Gen. Dinesh Nanayakkara, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda and Air Vice Marshal Sampath Wickremeratne, the No 02 officers in the Army, Navy and Air Force, respectively. However, being Chief of Staff doesn’t guarantee the top slot.

Retired AVM Sampath Thuyakontha is the Secretary Defence while retired Maj. Gen. Aruna Jayasekera was brought on the NPP National List and appointed Deputy Defence Minister. President Dissanayake has declared that State Ministers wouldn’t be appointed during his tenure.

Meanwhile, Priyantha Weerasooriya still functions as Acting IGP pending the Supreme Court verdict on nine petitions filed by several parties, including Colombo Archbishop, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, challenging the then President Ranil Wickremesinghe’s decision to appoint Deshabandu Tennakoon as the IGP. The case will be taken up again on Feb. 24th and 25th.


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A sustainable, inclusive and globally competitive tourism industry can be built through close partnerships and collaboration – PM

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24 mins ago

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2026/05/17

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The 13th Edition of Sancharaka Udawa 2026, Sri Lanka’s foremost Travel & Tourism Fair held under the patronage of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya at the Sirimavo Bandaranaike Memorial Exhibition Centre – BMICH, Colombo on Friday [15th May].

Organized by the Sri Lanka Association of Inbound Tour Operators (SLAITO) in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB), the exhibition was held on 15 and 16 th of May.

The exhibition brought together over 250 exhibitors and 300+ stalls with the participation of more than 100 international agents featuring in B2B meetings, panel discussions , and workshops designed to foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing.

This year’s exhibition welcomed foreign hosted buyers for the first time, creating unprecedented opportunities for local stakeholders to connect with international markets.

During the event, the Prime Minister officially opened the Exhibition Sancharaka Udawa 2026 for the public.

Addressing the occasion, the Prime Minister stated that the government’s vision is to build a sustainable, inclusive, and environmentally conscious tourism industry, while emphasizing the need for the sector to adapt to environmental, political, economic, and global challenges. The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of positioning Sri Lanka competitively in the global tourism arena and strengthening the country’s international brand as a unique destination.

Highlighting the importance of developing human capital and capacity within the sector, the Prime Minister underscored the role of ongoing education reforms in preparing young people for future opportunities. The Prime Minister stated that reforms in education should enable young people to access multiple pathways and gain exposure to industries such as tourism. In this regard, closer collaboration between the tourism sector and educational institutions was identified as essential.

The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of strengthening domestic tourism and improving the overall tourism experience.

Emphasizing the future development of the sector, the Prime Minister noted that close partnership and collaboration between the government and the private sector are vital to achieving sustainable progress in the tourism industry.

The opening ceremony was attended by Prof. Ruwan Ranasinghe, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Prof. Anil Jayantha Fernando, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning, Ms. Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Nalin Jayasundera, President, SLAITO,  Buddhika Hewawasam, Chairman, SLTPB/SLTDA and representatives of Diplomatic core, agents and exhibitors.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Prof. Venerable Maha Oya Jinarathana Nayaka Thero conferred the title of Chief Sanghanayaka

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33 mins ago

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2026/05/17

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The official ceremony to present Sannas Patra to Prof. Venerable Maha Oya Jinarathana Nayaka Thero, who was conferred the title of Chief Sanghanayaka of Wellassa, Bintenne and the Eastern Three Provinces, was held on Thursday [14 of May]  at the historic Pothubandhana Rajamaha Viharaya in Bibile, with the participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya.

The ceremony was held under the patronage of the Anunayake of the Malwathu Chapter, Most Venerable Dimbulkumbure Vimaladhamma Nayaka Thero. During the ceremony Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya presented the official Sannas Pathraya conferring the title of Chief Sanghanayaka of Wellassa, Bintenne and the Eastern Three Provinces to Prof. Venerable Maha Oya Jinarathana Nayaka Thero.

Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister stated that the Nayaka Thero, who entered monastic life in 1982, has rendered exemplary service to Buddhism and society for over four decades, setting a model for the entire community. She noted that the contributions made by the Thero by continuing the Sri Saranankara and Sri Saddhatissa Dhamma Schools, as well as the service carried out as the Chief Prelate of the Deegavapi Pirivena, are highly commendable.

The Prime Minister further stated that the humanitarian assistance extended annually by providing educational equipment to hundreds of children is commendable and strengthens the government’s efforts towards realizing educational policies. The Prime Minister appreciated the efforts of the venerable Nayaka Thero toward the restoration of the historic Deegavapi Maha Seya and the development of other temples.

The Prime Minister also highlighted that initiatives such as the construction of a Bhikkhu ward at the Ampara Hospital demonstrate selfless dedication of the venerable Thero through actions. The Prime Minister further emphasized that religious leaders who work for the spiritual and social upliftment of the people in historically significant regions such as Wellassa and Bintenne are essential to the country, and that the conferring of this title by the Malwathu Chapter is an honour not only to the Thero but also to the people of those regions.

The occasion was graced by the presence of members of the Maha Sangha representing the three Nikayas, and attended by the Minister Samantha Viddyarathna, Deputy Minister R.M. Jayawardena, Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa, the Governor of Uva Province, government officials, and a large gathering of devotees.

[Prime Minister’s Media Division]

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Showers will occur at times in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Northern provinces and in Anuradhapura, Galle and Matara districts

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22 hours ago

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2026/05/16

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WEATHER FORECAST FOR 16 MAY 2026
Issued at 05.30 a.m. on 16 May 2026 by the Department of Meteorology

According to the today’s latest weather analysis, the low-pressure area located northeast of  Sri Lanka, still persists. The Department of Meteorology is continuously monitoring the behavior, development and path of the system.

Due to the influence of the above system, Showers or thundershowers will occur at times and cloudy skies are expected in the Western, Sabaragamuwa, Central, North-western and Northern provinces and in Anuradhapura, Galle and Matara districts. Fairly heavy showers about 75 mm are likely at some places in these areas. Showers or thundershowers may occur at a few places in the Uva and Eastern provinces after 1.00 pm.

The general public is kindly requested to take adequate precautions to minimize damage caused by temporary localized strong winds and lightning during thundershowers.

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