The official was responding to a question posed by Sri Lanka Mirror regarding a report in a weekend newspaper.

A service extension given to de Silva last year is to expire on August 31.

The president is reportedly willing to grant him another extension, mainly due to his contributions to communal reconciliation in northern and eastern provinces.

PM’s stance

According to reports reaching SLM, prime minister Ranil Wickremesinghe wants de Silva given an extension only until December 31, to allow Maj. Gen. Channa Gunatilake to succeed him.

A past student of Royal College, Gunatilake is considered one of the most skilled officers in the Army.

However, minister Rajitha Senaratne is exerting pressure on the president to give an extension to de Silva only until December 01, and to appoint Maj. Gen. Ubhaya Medawala to the position thereafter.

Medawala will complete 55 years of age on December 02 and will retire. Therefore, he should be appointed to the position before that date.

Senaratne has noted how Medawala restored peace following religious tensions at Aluthgama created by Bodu Bala Sena and other organizations.

Minister Mahinda Samaraweera too, is supporting Senaratne in this.

1 year extension means

Meanwhile, close associates of the president have proposed to him that Maj. Gen. Sumedha Perera be appointed the next Army chief.

If de Silva is given an extension until December 31, major generals Sumedha Perera, Ubhaya Medawala, Milinda Peiris and Kamal Gunaratne will all be denied an opportunity to become the commander, as they should have completed 55 years by that time.

One year extension means Channa Gunatilake too, losing the opportunity.

That will pave the way for northern commander Maj. Gen. Mahesh Gunatilake to be the next Army chief.