Chrishantha de Silva new Sri Lanka Army chief

Major General Chrishantha de Silva was on Friday appointed as the new Sri Lankan Army Chief by President Maithripala Sirisena, who also reinstated several loyalists of former Army chief Sarath Fonseka.

Major General Silva will succeed Lieutenant General Daya Ratnayake with effect from February 22, Mr. Sirisena’s office said in a statement.

Mr. Sirisena also reinstated several loyalists of Mr. Fonseka, who led the Army to defeat the Tamil Tigers in 2009.