Both are old boys of Nalanda College.

However, on terms of professional seniority, Gagan is senior to Kapila by one year.

However, supporters of both are reportedly going behind affiliates of the President and Prime minister, levelling charges against the other party.

Marriage, an issue

'Sri Lanka Mirror' learns that the most serious charge leveled against Kapila Jayampathi is him being married to a non-commissioned (other ranks) lady officer.

The allege is as follows : If Jayampathi is promoted as the SLAF commander, it would mean that his wife would become the chairperson of the SLAF Seva Vanitha Unit. This would create the necessity for even commissioned officers to address her as 'madam' causing an insult to commissioned officers.

According to military tradition, a commissioned officer cannot wed a non commissioned officer who is in active service.

However, upon looking into the issue, 'Sri Lanka Mirror' learns that Mrs. Jayampathi retired from the SLAF on May 2010. The two have wed in 2013 and they have a small daughter as well.

At the present, Mrs. Jayampathi is teaching English at an international school in Colombo.

Similar instances were seen in the cases of Air Vice Marshal G.Y. de Silva and Wing Commander Jayantha Bandara who both married retired lady officers of the SLAF.

Gagan, a MR man?

Meanwhile, Gagan Bulathsinghala is facing heftier charges. He is charged of being a staunch Rajapaksa supporter, having secret dealings with COSMOS aviation of MP Sajin Vass Gunewardena and violating Human Rights.

He is also charged of being responsible for the collision of 02 Kfir jets that occurred during an aviation display on March 01, 2011. At that time, Bulathsinghala was functioning as the Air Operations Director of the SLAF.

However, acquitting Bulathsinghala from the incident, the present SLAF commander Air Marshal Kolitha Gunatillake has put the blame on himself, stating before the senior staff of the Presidential secretariat that it was all his fault and Bulathsinghala had no connection to it.

Wegapitiya too, involved

Meanwhile, popular businessman Wegapitiya too has entered the battle, in support of Bulathsinghala. It is said that one of Wegapitiya's sons are to wed a daughter of Bulathsinghala.

Wegapitiya, who is well known as a staunch supporter of the Rajapaksas, was appointed a Director of Mobitel, soon after the new government swept into power.

However, under this backdrop, the President has postponed the appointment of a new SLAF commander until the Defence Secretary returns to the island from an overseas trip, defence ministry sources say.

(Pics : LankaENews)