Army Chief’s term extended

Ranil Wijayapala

COLOMBO: The tenure of office of the Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka has been extended by another one year with effect from December 18, 2008 by President Mahinda Rajapaksa, Military Spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakkara said yesterday.

Lieutenant General Sarath Fonseka took office as Commander of the Army on December 6, 2005 and this is the third time his service has been extended by the President.

The extension of his service comes at a time Sri Lanka Army is recording highest achievements against the LTTE in its effort to liberate the North and East from the clutches of the LTTE.

“My only expectation is to defeat the LTTE fully during my extended tenure. During the past two years we were able to advance more than 70 Kms to the North and I would be able to defeat the LTTE and reach the Eastern coast if we can advance another 70 Km to the East from our current positions,” Army Commander Lt. General Sarath Fonseka commenting his future plans said yesterday.

Lt. Gen. Fonseka survived an assassination attempt by a female suicide cadre on April 25, 2006, just four months after assuming office.