Star Insignia of Army officer vehicles differ from each other starting from one star up until five stars. The first four stars should be granted to an officer in active duty while the fifth Star insignia can be wore by a retired officer. The only retired officer who is permitted to wear the five star insignia in Sri Lanka is Field Marshal Sarath Fonseka.[1][2][3][4]
One Star
editBrigadier is a senior rank in the Sri Lanka Army. The rank has a NATO rank code of OF-6, equivalent to Commodore in the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Commodore in the Sri Lanka Air Force. Initially Brigadier was not considered to be a General Officer rank by the Sri Lanka Army, however since the 1980s the rank had limited recognition as a General Officer rank, having their staff car designated with a single star, they got major generals' appointments though now Sri Lanka Army's brigadiers are not classed as generals.[5]
Two Stars
editMajor-general is the second-highest active rank of the Sri Lanka Army. The rank has a NATO rank code of OF-7, equivalent to a rear-admiral in the Sri Lanka Navy or an air vice-marshal in the Sri Lanka Air Force or the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. Appoints at this level carries the officer staff car designated with Two stars.
Three Stars
editThe rank of Lieutenant-general is held by the Commander of the Army. The rank has a NATO rank code of OF-8, equivalent to a vice-admiral in the Sri Lanka Navy and an air marshal in the Sri Lanka Air Force (SLAF) and the air forces of many Commonwealth countries. Every Army commanders' staff car is designated with Three stars.[5]
Four Stars
editThe rank of General is held by a Chief of the Defence Staff (if the chief is appointed from the army and not from the navy or the air force) or is mostly awarded as a ceremonial rank to the Commander of the Army on his day of retirement. General is the equivalent of Admiral in the Sri Lanka Navy and Air Chief Marshal in the Sri Lanka Air Force. Every Generals' staff car is designated with Four stars.[6]
Five Stars
editField Marshal is ranked immediately above General and has been awarded only once, to Sarath Fonseka as an honorary rank. It is equivalent to Admiral of the Fleet and Marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force. A five star Generals staff car is designated with Five stars.[2][7][6][8][9]
References
edit- ^ Fonseka to become first Sri Lankan Field Marshal, Khaleej Times (UAE), Retrieved 29 March 2015.
- ^ a b Gen. GSC Fonseka elevated to the rank of 'Field Marshal', Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka), Retrieved 29 March 2015.
- ^ Sarath Fonseka to be bestowed with Field Marshal Title NEWS.LK (The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka), Retrieved 29 March 2015.
- ^ General Fonseka Made Field Marshal - P.K.Balachandran, The Indian Express, Retrieved 29 March 2015.
- ^ a b "RETIREMENT - REGULATION PROCESS AND PRACTICE". army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 3 July 2020.
- ^ a b "Dress Regulation PDF - Part I" (PDF). army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
- ^ "Field Marshal post with Lifetime cabinet powers for General Sarath Fonseka..!". lankaenews.com. Retrieved 21 July 2021.
- ^ "All Ranks, Privileges & Pension Restored for General (Retd) Sarath Fonseka". defence.lk. Retrieved 22 March 2015.
- ^ What makes a Field Marshal, Ramesh Irugalbandara, newsfirst.lk, Retrieved 5 April 2015.