13 August 2019 05:41 pm
Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka said yesterday the ranks bestowed on two senior military officers such as the rank of Admiral of the Fleet awarded to former Navy Commander Wasantha Karannagoda was an insult to the security forces.
“Citing an example, he said foreign countries bestowed such a rank on an officer only if he commands a large number of ships, at least nine submarines and one aircraft carrier. The Sri Lanka Navy has three off-shore patrol craft and some other craft. Therefore giving such ranks to these senior officers is an insult to the forces. I am not criticizing the President and the recipient officers but only saying that it is an insult to the forces,” he said at a news conference.
Last week, Admiral Karannagoda and the former Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetileke were awarded the highest military ranks by President Maithripala Sirisena with Admiral Karannagoda being promoted to the rank of Admiral of the Fleet and Air Chief Marshal Goonetileke promoted to the rank of Marshal of the Air Force. (Yohan Perera)
Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana