Bid to downsize army alleged

Military Spokesman dismisses claim

The National Freedom Front (NFF) yesterday alleged that the government was planning to reduce the strength of the 200,000 army by 25 per cent.

Addressing the media at its main office at Pita Kotte, Kalutara District MP Jayantha Samaraweera claimed that specific instructions as regards the proposed reduction had been revealed in a letter dated June 14, 2018 issued by the Office of the Chief of Staff of the Army.

The MP said the move was in line with dictates of Geneva-based United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC).

The MP claimed that the altogether 33 battalions comprising 14 regular and 19 volunteer would be done away with. Over 100 camps and detachments including some of those strategically positioned units, too, would be dismantled.

The NFF spokesperson estimated the number of officers and men to be demobilized/retired at nearly 25,000.

The lawmaker alleged the downsising of the Army would pose a grave threat to post-war national security.

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