It is reported that the change in the armed services chiefs is set to take place at the beginning of the year 2025. Accordingly, General Shavendra Silva is scheduled to retire from the post of Chief of Defence Staff and from active service of the Sri Lanka Army from 1 January 2025, completing four decades of active service.
He became the first four-star general to command the army before assuming the post of Chief of Defence Staff.
In addition, it is reported that Major General Lasantha Rodrigo is scheduled to assume duties as the 25th Army Commander of the Sri Lanka Army, succeeding Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage.
Navy Commander Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera is scheduled to retire on January 1, 2025, and the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Navy, Rear Admiral Kanchana Banagoda, is reportedly set to assume the post.
Meanwhile, the tenure of the current Commander of the Sri Lanka Air Force, Air Marshal Udeni Rajapaksa, is also set to end next month.
However, sources close to the government say that a decision has not yet been made on whether the post of Chief of Defence Staff will be continued or abolished.