Military officials’ appointment to high civil posts may cause discontent in civil administration

In a significant move, Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa has appointed high military officials both serving and retired to a number of top and strategic positions in the government and semi-government corporations, giving birth to dissatisfaction in civil administration.

Maj Gen G A Chandrasiri, who held the fort in Jaffna during the war, was made Governor of the Northern Province, which includes 16,000 sq km of recently captured territory.

His appointment coincided with the run up to the crucial Jaffna Municipal Council elections to be held on August 8.

Major General Daya Ratnaike has been appointed as the new Commissioner General of Rehabilitation, the government information department announced today (Thursday). He is the latest recruit from the military to the civil administration by Mr. Rajapakse.

Maj Gen Jagath Dias, who led one of the divisions in the war, has been made number two in the Sri Lankan Embassy in Germany while Maj Gen Asoka Thoradeniya of the Military Police has been made Chairman of the Ceylon Petroleum Corporation.

Maj Gen A R A T Soysa was recently appointed managing director of the Ceylon Petroluem Storage Terminals.

Former navy chief, Admiral Vasantha Karanagoda, has been appointed Secretary of the Highways Ministry.

Artillery General, V R Silva, is now Commissioner General of Prisons. Brig Udaya Perera, former Director or Army Operations, has been made Deputy High Commissioner in Malaysia.

So many appointments of military officials to top posts in civil administration indicates dependence of the President on militarymen in running state affairs has significantly increased after the war.

Although these appointments are seen as reward of militarymen for their success in the war but sources in the civil administration said it may cause discontent among high officials in civil administration.