Army Commander Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage is being accused of behaviour unbecoming for a head of an armed force by officers within the force itself following an incident which occurred last weekend.

Eyewitnesses claim Liyanage was highly intoxicated and in an inebriated state during a lunch held following the Sri Lanka Army's Special Forces Regiment (SF) passing out parade held on 29 October in Maduru Oya. According to sources, Liyanage was inebriated to the point he dropped two glasses on the floor, managing to break one. He was also seen dancing with several women present at the lunch held for senior officers in a drunken state. Officers in the Army have expressed their dismay at the Commander’s behaviour.

It is also said the helicopter arranged for the Commander to return to Colombo had to be delayed as a result.

Liyanage was appointed as the 24th Army Commander in June this year. Officers claim Liyanage takes decisions not for the benefit of the Army but according to the whims and fancies of a senior official of the Ministry of Defence.