Chief of Defence Staff Bill passed

Uditha KUMARASINGHE and Irangika RANGE

Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayaka yesterday presented the Chief of Defence Staff Bill (second reading) in Parliament to legitimise the existing post of the Chief of Defence Staff and create an effective coordination between the post and the three Armed Forces.

The Bill was passed with amendments. The Premier presenting the Bill said this post is already in existence, but it is functioning as a tradition without vesting any legal powers. "The intention of this Bill is to legitimise this post and clearly outline the responsibilities vested in this post," he said.

The Chief of Defence staff will be held responsible for the coordination activities between the Armed Forces and the Defence Ministry in order to successfully conduct these coordination activities, a committee will also be established under the supervision of the Chief of Defence staff.

The Chief of Defence Staff will implement the decisions reached by this committee which comprise the Heads of the three Armed Forces.

The Chief of Defence Staff as the Chairman of this committee should be in consultation with the Commanders of the three Armed Forces under the direction and supervision of the Defence Secretary.

"The Chief of Defence Staff shall, while so serving in the office of the Chief of Defence Staff, hold the rank of General in the 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.

An officer serving as the Chief of Defence Staff will be eligible to be re-appointed for one more term of two years, provided that in a time of public emergency, the President may re-appoint the officer serving as the Chief of Defence Staff for any number of such terms of office.

Under the functions vested in the Chief of Defence staff he will assist the Minister in providing for the strategic direction of the Armed Forces and facilitate the preparation of strategic plans for the Armed Forces.

He will also supervise and coordinate matters in respect of the functions relating to intelligence between the Armed Forces.

Therefore the overall objective of this Bill is to legitimise this post and create an effective co-ordination between the three Armed Forces, the Premier added.