Throwing stones from glass houses may cause damage for both parties.

“As Army Officers in service cannot take part in politics and are forbidden; using their names for personal political gains and for false propaganda are absolutely unlawful. Hence, the Govt. hereby notifies all those engaged in such unlawful actions to stop the use of the names of Army Officers and publishing of such news forthwith, as it is a punishable offence.”
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By Keerthi Ratnayaka

(October 25, Colombo, Sri Lanka Guardian) Firm instructions have been given to the Police and other intelligence Authorities to strictly enforce the laws immediately under below sections by the Defense Secretary. The circumstance caused on this issue not need to reiterate as it known truth. The particular Section read as follows.

Newspapers and websites have been carrying false reports using the names of senior Army officers in service as participating in politics. Section 20 of the SL Democratic socialist republic gazette extraordinary clearly lays down the punishment that can be meted out under the emergency regulations to those who are engaged in such activities. This section basically stipulates that if any person or persons or media publish news which are aimed at inciting the public against the State or create public resentment against the implementation of the laws, or provokes rebellion against authority, legal action can be taken against all those who are directly and indirectly involved in such provocative activities. As Army Officers in service cannot take part in politics and are forbidden; using their names for personal political gains and for false propaganda are absolutely unlawful. Hence, the Govt. hereby notifies all those engaged in such unlawful actions to stop the use of the names of Army Officers and publishing of such news forthwith, as it is a punishable offence.

Today the dispute between General Fonseka and Rajapaksha regime is a popular secret. Sure Defence secretary kick out various media issues read as, Making a posting to secretary position of sport & entertainment ministry, media taboo on Gen. Fonseka, Removal of Gen.Fonseka symbol form army exhibition, Secret discussions hold by Basil & subsequent officers, Recently released Lunatic utters of Gov. ministers, Newly created baila songs and many more, obvious where defence secretary keep mum over two key issues.

01. Listlessness and dismissing of Gen.Fonseka's request.

In the face of defeat LTTE, General Fonseka had requested for at least two to three years to implement the defence plans which proposed by own. However, the President and defence secretary decided to remove him as the Army Chief by appointing him in a new position tilted as Chief of Defence Staff and Major General Jagath Jayasuriya appointed as the new Army Chief.Major General L.G. Chandrasiri, whom Fonseka expected would take over the chief post in the army after him, was also sent the retirement.

02. Great failure caused on establishing inaugrate position titled CDS.

The Bill gazetted on May 29, 2009 and issued on June 01, 2009 has been titled Chief of Defenc Staff. This is a Bill to provide for the appointment of a person to be the Chief of Defence Staff who shall be responsible for the co-ordination of activities between the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence and for the establishment of a Committee of the Chief of Defence Staff and to provide functions of the Chief of Defence Staff.Once this Bill is approved in Parliament the President shall appoint from among the persons presently serving as Commander of the Army, the Commander of the Navy or the Commander of the Air Force, a Chief of Defence Staff.The Chief of Defence Staff shall function under the direction, supervision and control of the Secretary to the Defence Ministry. The CDS will be appointed for a term of two years by the President and his term of office will be decided by the President at his discretion.The CDS will hold the rank of General in case of an officer of the Army, Admiral in the case of an officer of the Navy, and Air Chief Marshal in the case of an officer of the Air Force.Subject to the authority , direction, control and supervision, of the Secretary, the CDS will function :

a)to assist in providing for strategic direction of the armed forces;

b)to develop a doctrine for the joint employment of the armed forces;

c)to facilitate the preparation of strategic plans for the armed forces;

d)to co-ordinate matters in respect of the functions relating to intelligence as between the Armed Forces;

e)to undertake assessments to determine the capabilities of the Armed Forces in comparison with those of their potential adversaries;

f)to facilitate the preparation of operational plans for the Armed Forces and to co-ordinate the implementation of the same as between the Armed Forces;

g)to prepare and review contingency plans relating to the Armed Forces;

h)to tender advise on critical deficiencies and strength and assess the effects of such deficiencies and strengths

The CDS will also be the Chairman of the Committee of the Chief of Defence Staff which will comprise of the Commanders of the Army, Navy and the Air Force.
As the Chairman of the Committee of the Chief of Defence Staff he shall;

1) facilitate the implementation of all matters as between the Defence Ministry, in relation to military matters

2)in consultation with the three forces commanders discharge the functions arising out of subsection (1) of the Bill under the direction supervision of the Secretary

3)in carrying out his functions in respect of any matter, take into consideration of the range of military advice and opinions with respect to such matters as he considers appropriate.

4)establish procedures to ensure to the greatest extent possible, that presentation of his own advice or opinion is not unduly delayed.

As per this Bill the Commanding structure of the three forces have been centralized into a post entrusting the CDS with almost all powers relating to operations, intelligence, recruitment, career planning, structural changes and training matters in the three forces. Therefore, it set as a most powerful position in the Defence structure of Sri Lanka compared to the previous position of the Chief of Defence Staff who is responsible only for the coordination of joint operations in the three Forces. Therefore, the new CDS establish overall command on all three forces , reacting to a situation threatening the national security Thus first time in the Sri Lankan military history handling intelligence also posted to under the CDS position.

Warning : People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

(The writer, editor of Rawaya.net, an online journal based in Colombo. He can be reached at info@rawaya.net )

-Sri Lanka Guardian