Saturday, 21 February 2015 02:42
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President and Defence Minister Maithripala Sirisena yesterday appointed Major General A.W.J.C De Silva RWP USP ndu psc as the new Army Commander effective from tomorrow.
He is the 21st Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. His predecessor Chief Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake retires on 21 February.
Major General A.W.J.C De Silva joined the army as Cadet Officer in 1980 and has served in many regions including operational areas. He has been awarded a number of medals including the Rana Wickrama Padakkama.
The new appointment comes two days after the Defence Ministry clarified that no decision had been taken on the appointment of a new Army Commander contrary to media reports. Such reports however speculated Major General Jagath Rambukpotha would be the new Commander.
Prior to his Indian trip, President Sirisena confirmed the overdue promotion to the rank of Major General of three senior Brigadiers and the promotion of five more Brigadiers to the temporary rank of Major General, effective from 30 December 2014.
Acting on the directions of the Ministry of Defence, Army Commander Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake also made several changes to the appointments and relinquishments of the following officers with immediate effect from Monday.
