20 February 2023 05:39 pm Views - 11731
The Chief Executive Officer of Nelum Pokuna Theater Major General L.S Balachandra and Brigadier Suresh Perera, Brigadier General Staff of SFHQ in Mullaittivu had been removed from their post following a brawl that recently broke out on the road over overtaking a senior's vehicle, the Army said.
Army Spokesman Brigadier Ravi Herath said the officers were attached to the Army Headquarters pending an investigation into the alleged brawl between the officers that took place on February 15 while on their way to attend an event at Mechanized Infantry Regiment in Dambulla.
In addition to removing the positions held by the officers, several other facilities given to them have also been reduced.
Balachandra was among eight brigadiers who was promoted as a Major General two weeks ago.
It was reported the officers were on their way to the event with their wives. The event was organized to mark the promotion of an Army officers.
It was reported that the vehicle in which the Brigadier was traveling has driven ahead of the car in which the Major General was traveling. Infuriated by this, the Major General instructed his driver to overtake the Brigadier's car.
Accordingly, the Major General's driver overtook the Brigadier's vehicle and stopped. The Senior officer is alleged to have tried to assault the Brigadier's driver by scolding him for overtaking the vehicle regardless of his seniority. The Major General's wife also came out of the car and had joined the argument.
At that time, Brigadier Suresh Perera, who got out of the car, prevented Major General Balachandra's attempt to attack his driver, saying that his driver did not do anything wrong and that there is no military law that says that one should follow seniority when traveling on the road.
The Army said an inquiry was launched as discipline is one of the most important aspects in the Sr Lanka Army.(Darshana Sanjeewa Balasuriya)