The Sri Lankan Government is set to take legislative action to abolish the position of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), with the Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill scheduled to be presented and debated in Parliament on September 9.
The parliamentary vote on the Bill is scheduled for 5.00 p.m. on September 9, according to the parliamentary programme for the week from September 8 to 11.
The proposed legislation seeks to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act No. 35 of 2009, under which the CDS position was established following the end of Sri Lanka’s civil conflict.
The CDS post was created to coordinate joint operations among the Army, Navy and Air Force and provide high-level advice on military strategy and defence matters.
The Government and the Ministry of Defence have argued that the position is no longer essential in the present context. The move is also aimed at streamlining state administration and reducing defence-related expenditure.
Under the proposed repeal, military and public service personnel currently attached to the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff will be reassigned to their respective armed services, the Police Department or other relevant public sector institutions.
Assets and liabilities of the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff are also expected to be transferred to the Ministry of Defence following the abolition of the office.
