Army Commander Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva assumed duties as the acting Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) during an assumption of command ceremony held at the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (OCDS) at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), yesterday.
He commenced duties amid religious rituals and placed his signature on the formal documents and the VIP book.
Addressing the media subsequently, Lt. Gen. Silva said, “I have taken over duties as the 7th Chief of Defence Staff. I am thankful to President Gotabaya Rajapaksa for entrusting me with this duty. At a time when maximum security is expected in the country, I intend to fulfil the expectations of the President, tri-forces, police, and the CSD.”
He said that unlike in the past, the security forces in the country cannot work in isolation and must adapt to the changing trends:
“There is a manner in which the security forces in this country must forge ahead in the future.
“We must adapt in order to meet future challenges. This is the vision of President Rajapaksa and the Defence Secretary.
“Therefore, I intend to carry out my duties to fulfil what is expected of me.”
“Unlike in the past, the security forces cannot function individually; we must all work together in meeting our challenges.
“This is the same strategy that is followed by other military forces worldwide. In the past, too, the tri-forces, police, and the CSD have worked together to meet our challenges—and in the future, too, these security forces would be working together to serve the country.
“As the CDS, I intend to work with the forces and the police to ensure maximum security for the country and its people.”
The Acting CDS was awarded a formal Tri-Service Guard of Honour and; having reviewed the parade in the company of Major General Pooraka Seneviratne, Chief of Staff of the OCDS; he received the salute in accordance with military formalities.
Major General Jagath Gunawardena, Commandant of the Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force; Major General Mahinda Mudalige, Commander of the West Security Forces; Major General M.A.A.D Sirinaga, Quarter Master General at the Army Headquarters; Major General C.M.D.P Chandrasekera, Master General Ordinance at the Army Headquarters; Major General P.J Gamage, Military Secretary at the Army Headquarters; and several tri-force officers attended the occasion.
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