FORMER Commander of the Army General Sarath Fonseka, Now the new Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) assumed duties in his office at the Joint Operations Headquarters (JOH) Wednesday (15) morning.
New CDS, after inspecting the Guard Turnout, received the salute given in front of the JOH and received a tri-service Guard of Honour.
The outgoing CDS Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera, in the company of Army, Navy and Air Force commanders and the Inspector General of Police, thereafter welcomed General Sarath Fonseka at the entrance to the JOH and accompanied him to his office where members of four major religions bestowed blessings on the new CDS. Rev. Welamitiyawe Kusaladhamma Nayaka Thero headed Buddhist religious rites.
Next, with a;; best wishes, Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera handed over his office to Gen. Sarath Fonseka who placed his signature on the first document marking symbolic assumption of duties as the CDS.
The ceremony reached the end when Air Chief Marshal Donald Perera who held the senior most military appointment of the Sri Lankan Security Forces from 12.06.2006 shook hands with senior military Officers present on the occasion and extended his sincere thanks to all who cooperated with him during his tenure.
Later on, he was accorded a tri-service Guard of Honour in front of the JOH before leaving the venue amidst well wishes of Other Ranks of the Army, Navy and Air Force on a “Street Line”.
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