Former Army Commander Daya Ratnayake said he did not receive an official invitation to become the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence. 

It was widely speculated in the media circles that Ratnayake would be appointed the Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, replacing Hemasiri Fernando. 

President Maithripala Sirisena has asked for the resignations of Defence Ministry Secretary Hemasiri Fernando and IGP Pujitha Jayasundara in the wake of Easter Sunday attacks in Sri Lanka. 

Both Fernando and Jayasundara have come under fire for not acting on prior warnings on possible terror attacks in Sri Lanka sent by foreign intelligence agencies. 

President Sirisena, addressing the nation two days ago, said he would make changes to top positions in the defence apparatus in 24 hours.