Sri Lanka tri-forces only for military assignments says Defence Secretary
President issues fresh gazette notification placing the tri-forces on alert around the island
COLOMBO – Sri Lanka’s tri-forces will be dedicated exclusively to military assignments in the future, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd) said, even as the armed forces continue to be placed on alert in the country ostensibly to maintain law and order under the Public Security Ordinance.
Highlighting government plans to review the structure of the armed forces to ensure optimal resource utilization, he said efforts underway to enhance operational efficiency through targeted recruitment, prioritizing quality over quantity in personnel selection.
Thuyacontha was addressing the Navy Passing Out Parade (POP) held at the Naval and Maritime Academy (NMA) in Trincomalee on Sunday (29).
He also emphasized the importance of recognizing the unwavering commitment of the armed forces, noting, “The military deserves our honour and respect today, tomorrow, and always, for the supreme sacrifices they have made to secure a better future for Sri Lanka.”
Meanwhile, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake issued a fresh gazette notification placing the Sri Lanka Army, Navy and Air Force on alert around the island with effect from December 27, 2024.
“By virtue of the powers vested in me by Section 12 of the Public Security Ordinance (chapter 40), I, Anura Kumara Dissanayake, President, do by this order call out with effect from December 27, 2024, all the members of the Armed Forces specified in the First Schedule hereto, for the maintenance of public order in the areas specified in the Second Schedule hereto,” the gazette extraordinary said.
The first schedule lists the military while the second schedule lists the Districts in Sri Lanka.
Successive administrations from then President Maithripala Sirisena to Gotabaya Rajapaksa and Ranil Wickremesinghe have continued extending the gazette notification every month keeping the military on alert to support the Police to maintain law and order.
-ENCL
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