The Army informed that it is in the process of rightsizing the Army following the previous Government’s decision to restructure its cadre.

“While I cannot speak for the whole military, the Army is currently in the process of rightsizing,” Army Media Spokesman Major General Rasika Kumara told The Daily Morning yesterday (28).

These comments follow an announcement by previous State Minister for Defence Premitha Bandara Tennakoon stating that the country plans to restructure its military to 150,000 troops by 2030. As per the plans by the previous Government, the Army is in the process of reducing its numbers to 100,000 while the Navy would be reduced to 30,000 and the Air Force to 20,000.

However, when contacted by The Daily Morning, Presidential Secretariat Director General (Legal) J.M. Wijebandara stated that the Government has had no discussion regarding rightsizing the military yet. 

“We have not had any discussions in this regard yet and if a discussion is to take place, we will announce it in the Cabinet of Ministers as soon as possible,” Wijebandara said.

Rightsizing refers to the process of gradually restructuring in order to meet objectives.

It was reported that after the internal conflict, the Army has been involved with the detection of landmines and rescuing those affected by natural disasters while also assigning different roles for the troops including the operation of hospitality-related establishments.  

Defence Ministry Spokesperson Colonel Nalin Herath requested time to respond with regard to the same while attempts to contact the Defence Secretary via the ministry proved futile.