REFUGEE

The three forces chiefs have not attended the guard of honor offered to General Sarath Fonseka who retired from active military service today (16) morning.

The chiefs of the three armed forces generally attend the ceremony held to offer a guard of honor to a Chief of Defence Staff who is retiring from the post. However, the President has issued an order last night (15) calling on the forces chiefs not to attend the ceremony the following day.

Although media personnel were asked to be present at the venue at 9 a.m. as the event was scheduled to commence at 9.30 a.m., they have been taken inside only around 10 a.m. The media personnel have been delayed on an order by Major General Shavendra Silva.