President Maithripala Sirisena has decided to give a 6-month service extension to the Army's second in command and Chief of Staff, Major General Shavendra Silva, as he is due to retire from active service on June 21, upon reaching the age of 55, sources from the Presidential Secretariat say.
Sources added that Shavendra Silva will receive his extension in the same manner as the former Chief of Staff of the Army, Major General Dampath Fernando. Accordingly, Silva has received approval to continue in his current position until November 21.
The extension given to Army chief Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake by President Sirisena will also expire on the 18th of August, this year.
Major General Sathyapriya Liyanage, the person who is generally viewed as the successor to current Army chief Senanayake, is also scheduled to retire on November 21, upon reaching the age of 55.
The last person to receive a service extension after reaching the age of 55 was Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka, during his tenure as the Army commander.
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