Gen Jagath Jayasuriya Chief of Defence Staff

Sandasen Marasinghe

Army Commander Lt. Gen Jagath Jayasuriya who was promoted to the rank of General yesterday, has been appointed to the post of Chief of Defence Staff effective August 1, said Presidential Spokesman Mohan Samaranayake.

He succeeds Air Chief Marshal Roshan Gunathilake. Samaranayake said Major General Daya Ratnayake has been appointed Army Commander from August.

The promotion was from the rank of Lt. General, and made under the hand of President Mahinda Rajapaksa. He assumed office as the 19th Commander of the Sri Lanka Army on July 15, 2009. Jayasuriya was Wanni Security Forces Commander before being appointed the Army Commander.