The new government is also keen on ensuring that the army is not politicized as it was under former President Mahinda Rajapaaksa and hence Lt. Gen Daya Ratnayake will be able to leave with honour and dignity.

An army officer who is to retire from service will be able to go on leave and still be entitled to all his benefits including his salary until the official day of his service termination.

Under existing regulations an army officer can go on retirement leave for up to less than six months.

One of the present army officers who will be entitled to it is Major General Prasad Samarasinghe who is to retire in May this year.