Sri Lanka to Abolish Chief of Defence Staff Post as Bill Heads to Parliament

A bill to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act and abolish the post has been gazetted, with the legislation titled the Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Act, 2026. Prepared on the Minister of Defence's instructions, the bill was published on May 15. The Sectoral Oversight Committee on Governance, Justice and Civil Protection has approved the bill, which seeks to repeal the 2009 Act. The post, originally established to coordinate Tri-Force operations, is being abolished as it is no longer deemed necessary, partly due to defence expenditure management and ongoing restructuring. The bill is scheduled for presentation to Parliament on September 9, with a vote expected at 5:00 p.m. the same day.