Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando resigns

Defence Secretary Hemasiri Fernando has tendered his resignation to President Maithripala Sirisena today, sources said.

Earlier, the President called for the resignation of the defence secretary and IGP Pujith Jayasundara.

Addressing the nation on Tuesday night, the President said the police, the tri-forces and security forces would be restructured within a week and that there would be personnel changes with regards to the heads of the security forces within the next 24 hours which ended last night.

Defence Secretary Fernando came under fire with regard to a statement he made over the terror attacks and the way he handled the situation.