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Yoshitha Rajapaksa confirms he has resigned from navy

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20 October 2020 04:07 am - 22     - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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Yoshitha Rajapaksa, who last week assumed duties as Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa's Chief of Staff, yesterday said he had resigned from the Navy on Oct. 10 after his resignation was accepted by the Ministry of Defense and he had taken on his new position on the request of the Prime Minister.

Yoshitha told Daily Mirror that he had made an application to resign from the navy eight months ago after serving for 14 years and his application was accepted on Oct.10.

Further he said his appointment as Chief of Staff to Prime Minister Mahinda Rajapaksa was approved by Cabinet on Oct. 12 and he officially assumed duties on his new position from Oct.15.

"The Prime Minister wanted me to come and work for him, so on his request I decided to change my career," Yoshitha said.

"Even during the previous government, when I was politically victimised and suspended from the navy for four years, I worked for my father and built up my experience. So this position did not come to me overnight," he added.

Yoshitha served in the navy from 2006 to 2020 and holds a masters degree and PhD from the National Defense University of Ukraine.

His latest appointment came under criticism on social media after a tweet from the Chinese Embassy official account last week, congratulated him as Prime Minister Rajapaksa's new Chief of Staff.

Questions were also raised as to whether Yoshitha had resigned from the navy to take up his new appointment. (Jamila Husain)


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  Comments - 22

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  • saman Tuesday, 20 October 2020 04:36 AM

    Free ammo for the opposition thanks to MR. Position should have been gazetted and advertised.

    Matta Tuesday, 20 October 2020 04:37 AM

    "serving for 14 years" - where was that 4 years after dad's loss in the election 2015 until uncle somapala helped him to get back in 2019?

    Simon Tuesday, 20 October 2020 04:46 AM

    Their ego is bigger than the universe.. PhD from Ukraine... What those 3 can't do..

    Jude Tuesday, 20 October 2020 05:17 AM

    So all BRIBES MUST and will be handled by COS Yoshi putha!! NOTTA bad set up !! Smart, very smart!! Nothing will stand in court !!?? Huh!#

    Dulanjana Jeevaka Silva Tuesday, 20 October 2020 05:43 AM

    The difference between PMs son and President's son.

    Independent Tuesday, 20 October 2020 05:45 AM

    Shameful family. They have blood strains on their hands. By the way, did he serve 14years?

    Michael Ranasinghe Tuesday, 20 October 2020 06:18 AM

    Oh what a loss it would be for the Navy as you were a hard working and committed officer who endured much hardship at the height of the war.. enjoy this new position and the people who voted for your family and those who didn't will gladly contribute towards your up keep .. what a hero

    Waco Tuesday, 20 October 2020 06:42 AM

    You have done a great service to the Sri Lankan Navy. We appreciate that.

    Roisin Tuesday, 20 October 2020 06:59 AM

    Were you politically victimised? Poor boy! Daddy will take care of you.

    AA Tuesday, 20 October 2020 07:07 AM

    Did he pay back the money spent by the state for his training abroad?

    Shehan Tuesday, 20 October 2020 10:55 AM

    What a waste of money spent on him to train in UK

    Ramal Tuesday, 20 October 2020 11:54 AM

    The millions spent on overseas training and lost opportunities for other recruits.........???

    Lanka putha Tuesday, 20 October 2020 11:57 AM

    Sad news for Navy.Lost a very talented officer

    Ralaharamy Tuesday, 20 October 2020 12:04 PM

    Who cares?

    FF Tuesday, 20 October 2020 12:18 PM

    HE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN RECRUITED IN THE FIRST PLACE FOR NOT HAVING BASIC EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

    Prince Raja Tuesday, 20 October 2020 12:26 PM

    Why couldn't Yoshitha resign from CoS rather than Navy where tax payers money was spent for training. Very selfish family. It seems there is doom and gloom for the party and Rajapaksas.

    Premalal Perera Tuesday, 20 October 2020 12:38 PM

    Now only Daisy Achchi left to be appointed.

    Dee Tuesday, 20 October 2020 09:33 PM

    Congratulations SAR! You were the greatest Naval officer in SLN.

    Dr Lionel Fernando MD Tuesday, 20 October 2020 11:44 PM

    These kinds of rogues are incorrigible. During his tenure in the SL navy when his papa was president, he had traveled overseas more than thirty times according to information gathered from Sri Lankan media sources.

    Gharry Wednesday, 21 October 2020 12:11 AM

    If Jared Corey Kushner, son in law of Donald Trump, becomes a senior advisor to the President of the United States; Donald Trump, then why cannot Yositha Rajapaksa, a qualified personnel become a chief of staff of Prime Minister; Hon'ble Mahinda Rajapaksa.

    Marci peyres Wednesday, 21 October 2020 01:24 AM

    Sad. Mr.President please do not allow your nephews to destroy your dedicated work for SriLanka again. There are enough honest educated younger ones to fill their posts.

    munas Thursday, 22 October 2020 12:17 AM

    SAD Mr PRESIDENT PLEASE DO NOT ALLOW YOU NEPHEWS TO DISTROY OUR COUNTRY


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