This letter should be issued by the presidential secretariat, but the subject secretary has continued to avoid signing the letter.

Junior officers say they have been told that the secretary cannot take a decision on his own. Hence the delay in signing the letter.

As a result of the non-availability of the retirement letter, Gotabhaya has been denied his pension and a tax free car permit.

The subject secretary is said to be a loyal follower of Gotabhaya when he was the defence secretary.