President of Sri Lanka Maithripala Sirisena has appointed former Army Commander, General-retired Defense Secretary, Shantha Kottegoda, as the new Secretary to the Ministry of Defense.

The appointment came following the resignation of the former Defense Secretary Hemasiri Fernando after he was requested by the President over the failure to prevent the Easter Day bombing despite receiving prior warnings of a possible attack.

After the Police Chief refused to resign, President Sirisena appointed an Acting Police Chief today.

Under Sri Lanka's constitution, only parliament can remove the police chief through a lengthy process designed to shield officers from political interference.