Former Army Commander General (Retd) S.H. Shantha Kottegoda has been appointed as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Defense.

He received his letter of appointment from President Maithripala Sirisena at the President’s Office, this afternoon (29).

The appointment comes following the resignation of former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando after he was requested to step down by the President over the failure to prevent the Easter Day bombing despite receiving prior warnings of a possible attack.

General (Retd) Shantha Kottegoda of the Sri Lanka Light Infantry (SLLI), who served as the Commander of the Army during 1 July 2004 - 5 December 2005 was the 17th Commander of the Army before his retirement after a career of more than 36 years.

General (Retd) Kottegoda, during his distinguished career has held a number of prestigious and key appointments at the Army Headquarters (AHQ) and elsewhere in the organization and he was the Chief of Staff and Overall Operational Commander - East at the time he was appointed the Commander of the Army on 1 July 2004.

Before he assumed this highest mantle of office, his illustrious military career served the office of Deputy Chief of Staff, Commandant, Sri Lanka Army Volunteer Force Headquarters, Director General, General Staff, Colonel of the Regiment Sri Lanka Light Infantry, Inspector of Infantry, Army Headquarters, Director General, Training, Director Training (AHQ), Director Military Intelligence, Commander 11 Brigade, Ratnapura, Deputy Commandant, Kotelawala Defence Academy, Deputy Director National Intelligence Bureau, Principal Staff Officer, Operational Headquarters at Ministry of Defence, Coordinating Officer for Kalutara and Mullaittivu districts, Colonel General Staff, Commanding Officer 4th Battalion Sri Lanka Light Infantry and several other junior appointments, including those of the Company Commander, Adjutant 1st Sri Lanka Light Infantry, Staff Officer 11, etc.