Amidst growing criticism over "militarization" of Sri Lanka's COVID10 response, the Presidential Secretariat has deployed 25 senior Army officers to coordinate COVID19 control measures in all districts.

The opposition has repeatedly pointed out that the medical experts have taken a back seat in Sri Lanka's pandemic response while the military authorities have been empowered to manage the process. The outbreak of COVID19 in Sri Lanka reached its peak in December with the death toll climbing over 200.

Further fueling this criticism, General Shavendra Silva, the head of Sri Lanka's national operations centre for COVD19 prevention centre, has recommended the same of 25 senior Army officers to be appointed as "Chief Coordinating Officers" for districts.

Issuing a statement, the Army said, "the new office of those Chief Coordinating Officers would facilitate smooth conduct of district-wise Quarantine Centres, Transportation of Individuals for Quarantining and Treatment, Supply of Medicine, Equipment, Dry-rations and other Essentials and all other technical requirements as and when deemed necessary."

Following are the Senior Army Officers who have been appointed as Chief Coordinators in all 25 districts;

Northern Province

1. Major General W G H A S Bandara - Jaffna

2. Major General K N S Kotuwegoda - Kilinochchi

3. Major General R M P J Rathnayaka - Mullaittivu

4. Major General W L P W Perera - Vavuniya

5. Major General A A I J Bandara - Mannar

North Central Province

6. Major General J C Gamage - Polonnaruwa

7. Major General H L V M Liyanage - Anuradhapura

North Western Province

8. Major General A P I Fernando - Puttalam

9. Brigadier P M R H S K Herath - Kurunegala

Western Province

10. Major General K W R de Abrew - Colombo

11. Major General N R Lamahewage - Gampaha

12. Brigadier K N D Karunapala - Kalutara

Central Province

13. Major General H P N K Jayapathirane - Nuwara Eliya

14. Major General S M S P B Samarakoon - Kandy

15. Major General S U M N Manage - Matale

Sabarammuwa Province

16. Brigadier J M R N K Jayamanna - Ratnapura

17. Brigadier L A J L B Udowita - Kegalle

Eastern Province

18. Major General C D Weerasuriya - Trincomalee

19. Major General T D Weerakoon - Ampara

20. Major General C D Ranasinghe - Batticaloa

Uva Province

21. Brigadier E A P Ediriweera - Badulla

22. Colonel D U N Serasinghe - Monaragala

Southern Province

23. Major General D M H D Bandara - Hambantota

24. Major General W A S S Wanasinghe - Galle

25. Colonel K A U Kodituwakku - Matara