Opposition Parliamentarian Chamara Sampath Dassanayake has alleged that the Sri Lankan government is preparing to extend the tenure of the current Army Commander until January 2028 at the request of Archbishop of Colombo Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith. The allegation was made during a conference organized by the Joint Opposition, where the MP claimed that the move would have significant implications for senior military appointments.
Addressing the gathering, Dassanayake stated that the current Army Commander’s official term ended on July 2, 2026. According to the MP, despite the expiry of the term, the government is preparing to grant a further extension that would keep the Army Commander in office until January 2028. He attributed the alleged decision to a request made by Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith.
Dassanayake further claimed that the proposed extension would affect the career progression of several senior military officers, including Nilantha Premaratne. He said the continuation of the current Army Commander in the position could prevent a number of senior officers from receiving appointments they would otherwise be eligible for under the normal succession process.
The opposition lawmaker also alleged that an individual bearing the surname “Fernando” is expected to assume the position of Army Commander in 2028. He claimed that the sequence of decisions relating to the extension of the current Army Commander’s tenure and the future appointment were being carried out in accordance with the Cardinal’s wishes.
Expanding on his allegations, Dassanayake claimed that Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith holds considerable influence over appointments to senior government positions. He alleged that the Cardinal determines who is appointed as the Army Commander and who is selected to lead the Criminal Investigation Department. The MP presented these claims as part of his criticism of what he described as the decision-making process surrounding key state appointments.
In addition to his allegations regarding military leadership and senior appointments, Dassanayake also claimed that Catholic priests were staying at luxury holiday resorts operated by the military in the Batticaloa area. He raised the allegation while addressing the same opposition-organized conference, although he did not provide supporting evidence during his remarks as reflected in the source material.
The allegations were made publicly by Dassanayake during the Joint Opposition event and concern matters relating to military leadership, government appointments, and the alleged involvement of Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith in those processes. The source text does not include any response from the government, the Army, Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith, the Criminal Investigation Department, or any other individuals or institutions named in connection with the allegations.
No official confirmation or comment regarding the alleged extension of the Army Commander’s tenure, the claimed influence over state appointments, or the allegations concerning military-operated holiday resorts was included in the source material.
