The Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, Lieutenant General Lasantha Rodrigo, has paid farewell calls on Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara (Retd) and Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha (Retd), signalling that a change at the head of the country’s largest armed service is imminent.
The Ministry of Defence said the calls were made at the two officials’ respective offices ahead of the completion of Rodrigo’s tenure as the 25th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. The ministry issued its statement on July 28; Ada Derana carried the announcement on Wednesday morning.
In separate meetings, the Deputy Minister and the Defence Secretary commended Rodrigo for what the ministry described as a distinguished military career, exemplary leadership and dedicated service to the country. Both acknowledged his work to strengthen the operational capabilities and professionalism of the army during his time in command, and extended their best wishes for his future endeavours.
Rodrigo, an officer of the Sri Lanka Artillery, was appointed the 25th Commander of the Army in December 2024, taking charge alongside a new Navy Commander in a wider reshuffle of the service chiefs under President Anura Kumara Dissanayake’s administration.
Neither the Ministry of Defence nor the army has announced a successor or given a date for the handover. Service commanders are appointed by the President.
