• Defence Min. to carry out said office’s responsibilities 
• OCDS post can be re-established if needed: Thuyacontha 

Secretary to the Ministry of Defence, Air Vice Marshal (Retired) Sampath Thuyacontha has stated that the Government does not plan to continue the position of the ‘Chief of Defence Staff’ (CDS). He made this statement during a press briefing held yesterday (29).

“We don’t expect to maintain the position of the CDS. We will carry out the responsibilities related to that role through the Ministry,” he said. Responding to a question from The Daily Morning, Secretary Thuyacontha stated: “If the need arises, we can always re-establish the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff (OCDS) as required.”