Politics · Sri Lanka Bureau
Sri Lanka formally abolishes Chief of Defence Staff position
Parliament has officially repealed the Chief of Defence Staff Act following Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne's endorsement of the legislation. The repeal takes effect immediately, eliminating the defence coordination role established under the previous framework.
LSN Sri Lanka ·
The Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Act, No. 22 of 2026, came into force on September 22 after receiving parliamentary approval, formally dissolving the position that served as a coordination mechanism within Sri Lanka's defence establishment.
Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne signed off on the legislation following its passage through the parliamentary process. The Bill was initially presented for first reading on August 4, 2026, and subsequently advanced through the required legislative stages before achieving final endorsement.
The abolition of the Chief of Defence Staff post marks a significant restructuring of the country's defence administration. The decision reflects a shift in how the nation's military coordination and command structures will be organized moving forward.
The repeal legislation takes immediate effect, requiring the defence ministry and related agencies to implement the structural changes outlined in the Act. Further details regarding the transition arrangements and reallocation of responsibilities among military leadership positions are expected to be announced in due course.