President grants service extension to Army Cheif of Staff

Chief of Staff (CoS) of Sri Lanka Army Major General Dampath Fernando’s term of office has been extended by three months with effect from today by President Maithripala Sirisena,  Army Spokesman Brigadier Sumith Atapattu said today.

He was scheduled to retire the day before yesterday and a farewell guard of honour was also held in his honour at the Kuruwita Gemunu Watch Headquarters. “Major General Fernando was given a guard of honour because they were unaware of his extension before giving the guard of honour,” he said.

According to security forces sources, the Army Commander had recommended six senior officers to fill the post of Chief of Staff of the Army and sent this list to the President.

However, under such a situation, it is unique that the President upon arriving from New York had taken the decision to extend Maj. Gen. Fernando’s term.

Maj. General Dampath Fernando was appointed as the 52nd Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army on March 27. He had joined the Army as a Cadet Officer of the Gemunu Watch on April 27, 1983.