Daya appointed Chief of Staff

30 January 2010 06:31 am - 58 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

Major General Daya Ratnayake has been appointed the Chief of Staff (CoS) of the army while the former Chief of Staff Mendaka Samarasinghe has been transferred to the Joint Operation Headquarters. Several other changes have also been made in the army.

Major General Daya Ratnayake was earlier the Commissioner General of Rehabilitation. Mendaka Samarasinghe, who was alleged to be loyal to former army Chief General Sarath Fonseka, was appointed Chief of Staff (CoS) just last July. Major General Samarasinghe had been serving as Commander, Security Forces, Jaffna until he was appointed the new CoS after the new Army Commander took office.

Meanwhile other changes in the army included the appointment of military spokesman Brigadier Udaya Nanayakara as the Chief Field Engineer and Brigadier Prasad Samarasingha to temporarily overlook the activities of the Director Media.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 58

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:39 AM

Be His Masters Voice...! to be the next Commander !.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:06 AM

another guy in the "Mahinda Regiment" of the army,promoted for hard work for MR's political war.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:06 AM

I did not see these promises in chinthanaya 2 ? Well it seems like its not what you see - what yo get.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:07 AM

Congratulations!!
Whatever the reasons behind this decision and timing, you are a true gentleman who will uphold all traditions of the army. We are all aware of your yeomen service to the motherland in the war front until you were unceremoniously removed from the front.
I wish you all the best!!

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:10 AM

NUTs!!!!!!!!!
beware, todays war hero is tomorrows traitor

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:13 AM

country gone mad now no democracy v all b finish very soon

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:14 AM

no democracy

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:16 AM

who was the commander of chief and secretary to the defense.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:18 AM

Sri Lanka needs all the Gen Dayas she can get

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:19 AM

Looks like its going to be a like cricket Board after we won the world cup.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:21 AM

Congratulation sir!
You deserve this. All the best!

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:22 AM

Creating dissent and division in the army can be a dangerous thing for the government.
There are people in the army who will be loyal to Sarath Fonseka for sure.He stood by them and led them to victory.The government should just get on with the work at hand.We are waiting for the bright future not a witch hunt.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:24 AM

Rafiq, none of these allegations have an atom of proof behind them.

Let's be smart about this. Don't be fooled by propaganda.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:27 AM

Those who comment, if you have any respect for forces please don't insult this officer.

Daya is respected by everybody iirespected by party colours. Check with those in the army if you have any contacts.

He never played politics and it was SF and MR who sent him to china to work as a defence attache. MR worked on Fonseka's advice.

Daya is a victim of politics both SF and MR.

He should have been the chief defence of staff long time ago if not for MR and SF

Nadun

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:29 AM

At least Armed Forces should not be politicised and should be allowed to discharge the duties impartially. Direct involvement of politicians with such services sends a negative message to the country where every section of the society is ruined by politicians

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:03 AM

Be obiedient to Gota, Basil and MR company.. otherwise you will be kicked out..

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:39 AM

This country has been ruined by politicizing the military by the rulers. Time will let us know the final out come of this mess. May God bring all corrupt politician in to justice and save our motherland

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:49 AM

you too should be ''S traight F orward''
always...''S rilanka F irst''

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:51 AM

Nothing wrong with the appointment from MRs perspective.

Good luck M General. Do not make the same mistake done by SF Give credit to where its' due- SF claimed full credit for the victory and did not recognise the contribution made by the other forces.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:58 AM

Careful - you might start purging with all the muck you have swallowed by the govt propaganda machine of coups and plots and assassination attempts.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 09:59 AM

I read all comments. Am bit confused. Daya is transferred as a SF supporter. Some have said SF sidelined him and sent overseas after the eastern war. Can someone explain this. Of course about the transfer I am not surprised. Democracy in Sri lanka is still alive and not gone to the place of no return where our deceased politicians are meeting. So these things happen.
Ram

Saturday, 30 January 2010 10:00 AM

Hope he doesn't get into politics and be labeled as a traitor overnight by those who praise him now.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 10:05 AM

Democratic leaders have every right to avoid any threst to democratic process being happening.Our president has to take precautions before a coup being happen. If he did not do that people will blame him. Good for democracy.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 10:36 AM

Oh yes great tradtions of the Army were well displayed on 26th to the whole world by showing the gratitude to their only Four star GENERAL.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 11:22 AM

My dear sir. You may receive all these accolades now. But if you were ever to contest an election from any other party, other than the PA, be ware. you will be called a traitor right away. Yesterdays' heros and patriots are todays' traitors. thats how people of Sri Lanka show their gratitude. So be warned.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 11:37 AM

Best wishes to the war hero, General Daya. This general was the architect of liberating parts of the East including Vakarai. The gratitude that he got from Fonseka was to be banished to China and later place d in a non-combat Brigade in Jaffna. This thrice wounded war hero has done a great job rehabilitating ex-LTTE soldiers includingg children. A thorough gentleman, Gen Daya suffered in silence when Fonseka directed his venome at him. May the devas protect you and give you strength to perform your duties to protect the President and Sri Lanka's democracy.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 03:33 PM

You are ther real buffolo. Who do not care about the nation.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 03:38 PM

TOE THE LINE OF MR BROS, YOU WILL BE SAFE, IF NOT WILL BE A TRAITOR. MY GOOD ADVICE TO YOU, NEVER DREAM OF CONTESTING AN ELECTION FROM OPPOSITION PARTY, . GOOD LUCK & CHEERS

Sunday, 31 January 2010 06:29 AM

Daya, This was due long b4( for confused & poor comments who doesn't know facts). Congratulation, Your discipline & courage paid off. Be not hesitate to speak up ( As done to petty politics of SF) against wrong and be heroic for correct ( As done in East).

You have brain, courage, knowledge & respect to bring SLA back to glory.
Poor commentators who does not know, be assured that SLA is in very good hands with brain without selfishness.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:57 AM

His earnings for whitewashing politicians. These guys wear uniform, fought in the battle, won it for the nation. Then for petty gains like these, they hired their massive effort to sarong clad politicians. That's where the shame is !!

Saturday, 30 January 2010 06:39 AM

Shame.. childish and not matured still. Oh... God save our nation

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:04 AM

CONGRATULATIONS!
You were severly antagonozed by the disgraced Gen 'Sorry Fonseka'.
We wish you long years of service to our Mother Lanka.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:07 AM

Congratulations Daya. The most respected and intelligent officer in the Sri Lanka Army you kept a low profile all these days. The master-mind behind the operation to liberate the East has finally being pushed to the limelight. Now you have no escape route sir.
We really appreciate your work to rehabilitate young LTTE cadres with love and care and for giving a new meaning to their lives. They are going back to their villages with fond memories of the hospitality of the Sinhala race. Wish you all the very best.

Champika

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:12 AM

This is only the beginning.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:20 AM

the paranoia about a coup... so insecure... pfft...

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:28 AM

There you Go !this is what the buffaloes voted for. God will do the needful, no leader can hide from God, remember that.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:31 AM

It's sweet revenge for you General Daya. Fonseka was so jealous of you and sent you to China. If he could he would have even killed you. He was so jealous of you. You kept quiet despite all his harassment.
Today is your day. By the way where is Fonseka? Nursing his wounds....?

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:33 AM

Possibly soon all Sri Lankan voters who voted for any other party will be transferred out of the country citing non-citizens as they fail to overlook all the shortcommings and violations which are being committed..

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:34 AM

Of course supporters will be appointed and corruption will continue.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:40 AM

An officer & a gentleman! Deserving to be promoted to the top & no doubt he will uphold the great traditions & the discipline of the SLA.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:52 AM

Everybody who have taken away the rights of our people will be punished by the God, gains are temporaray.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:55 AM

The Best officer ever produced by the Sri Lanka army and the best brains we ever had. Gen. Daya we are all happy for you today. Forget what fonseka did to you. what else can you expect from the man.

A retired colonel

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:55 AM

SUBA ANGATHAYAK for Mahinda loyals in forces...................God Bless Sri Lanka

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:56 AM

We voted for SF. please transfer us to USA. :p

Saturday, 30 January 2010 06:36 AM

No democracy in SL

Saturday, 30 January 2010 07:58 AM

Sir, You looked after the LTTE baby brigade after war like a

father. They are all changed kids today all thanks to your

kindness and understanding. We need you to build the

bridge between Sinhalese and Tamils.

Nathan from Melbourne

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:03 AM

well done sir!!

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:05 AM

Folks here is a officer who was harassed to core by Fonseka. Fonny gave him a punsihment tranfer to China in order to prevent him from becoming CDS.
If not for Fonseka he would have become CDS long time ago.
Those who do not know the story please don't comment and insult the hero of the Eastern operation

Dhanushka

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:18 AM

very childish. One must not forget that democracy would have been the loser had Fonseka won. All this coup talk never existed until Mighty 'Squeaky Clean' General Fonseka dipped his nose into politics. The people must see him for what he is. He is no Hero. He is alleged to have tried to assasinate the First Family and also to organise a coup in SL. Never in the history of SL has one man brought the country such bad undue publicity, of course since Prabhakaran.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:22 AM

army senior officers will get angry with these changes.
that could be......................................

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:29 AM

a Major split in the forces forseen

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:34 AM

no democracy in srilanka

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:37 AM

you will be happy for a moment. but when the moment of truth comes you too will be a traitor. After all its not SF who has commanded the army to win the war. may be the almighty god. sin. sins will go behind those that do wrong like the wheels of a cart. this is the so called gratitude.
SF is a man with a pride. Lets pray for him.

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:42 AM

Hero of Welikanda. General Daya we love you.

ALL THE BEST

Denver

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:46 AM

i don't know what happen to the polititians, they never think about country, all are selfishers, they think to grab power and maintaine it how ever, then change every setup (army, government public office, etc.). if opposition would win. same thing happen. all innacent citizens are watching it. now we give all things to "time".

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:46 AM

I voted for Sarath Fonseka to beat corrput regime.

But I have loads of respect for Daya. A battle hardened

hero, the star of the Eastern liberation fight who never lost his head.

We salute him for the way he rehabilitated young Tamil girls and boys.

Ayobo weva

Janith

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:49 AM

CAN U BE STRAGHT AND WORK LIKE GEN. FONSEKA ?

Saturday, 30 January 2010 08:56 AM

are we as a respected nation going CRAZY after the war.

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Daya appointed Chief of Staff

Comments - 58

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

New Visa procedure implemented

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

A US “Kaputa”, a Lankan “Nariya” and a Presidential “Feast”

April 15 declared a government holiday

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Wild elephants pull down 16 telephone poles

Middleman arrested for price gouging at Kalutara eatery

Bondholders’ agreement delay won’t hinder IMF third tranche payout: Dr. Coomaraswamy

Party leaders to shoot down MPs request for concessionary duty free vehicle permits

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings