President Gotabhaya Rajapaksa has appointed Army Commander Lt. General Shavendra Silva as the Acting Chief of Defence Staff.

Silva temporarily replaces Admiral Ravindra Wijegunaratne who retires from service today.

It is also reported that the government is currently exploring the possibility of amending the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Act, enabling the President to appoint any high-ranking military officer as the CDS.

Chief of Defence Staff is entrusted with coordinating responsibilities between tri-forces commanders and other key figures in the defence apparatus.