Major General Janka Ratnayake going behind politicians to get his seniority back

 01 March 2015

As the Army chief of staff appointment is going to be vacant soon with the retirement of Maj Gen Prasad samarasingha some senior officers have already begun campaigning for the post by going behind powerful politicians.

One such character is Maj Gen Janaka Rathnayake who has a very poor track record in the Army. Janaka Rathnayake who was known as a coward amongst ranks and files always reported sick and refused to command troops in operational areas through fear of his life.

The following carrier record available at Army headquarters will prove this point beyond any doubt. Commanding Officer Amour Regiment-01year 9months, 213 Brigade Commader-02months, 514Brigade Commander-03months, 515Brigade Commander-01month, Armoured Brigade Commander(His own Regiment)-02 months,211brigade(defensive Brigade in peace area)-01 year.

Because of this refusals and frequent sick reporting he was never considered to be a Division or Security Force Commander or for any other important appointments in the Army which resulted in lost of seniority and placing his seniority immediately behind his junior batch Intake OTA 1.He through his brother Chula Bandara who was a close friend of former president brought pressure on then Secretary Def. Gotabaya and Army Commander Gen Jagath Jayasooriya for the Maj Gen promotion. Later he was promoted on someone else's vacancy and was appointed as the Director General sports which was newly created to accommodate him.

Will, he succeed in his new attempt of going behind politicians to get his seniority back and become the next Chief of Staff of The Sri Lanka Army is any body's guess.

Weera Wickrema Vibhushanaya. WWV

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In the face of the enemy.

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To reward distinguish conduct in the face of the enemy.