Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando resigns

Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando has submitted his resignation to President Maithripala Sirisena yesterday, sources said.  

The President had earlier called for the resignation of the defence secretary and Police Chief Pujith Jayasundara.  

Addressing the nation on Tuesday night, the President said the police, the tri-forces and the security forces would be restructured within a week and that there would be several changes with regard to the heads of the security forces within the next 24 hours which ended last night.  

Mr. Fernando came under fire regarding a statement he made in connection with the terror attacks and the manner in which he handled the situation