Speaker endorses Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill

Speaker Dr. Jagath Wickramaratne endorsed the certificate on the Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Bill on 22nd September. The Bill comes into force as the Chief of Defence Staff (Repeal) Act, No. 22 of 2026.

The Bill was introduced to repeal the Chief of Defence Staff Act, No. 35 of 2009, which established the office of the Chief of Defence Staff. With the repeal of that Act, the office of the Chief of Defence Staff will also cease to exist.

The Bill was presented to Parliament for its First Reading on 4th August 2026. Debate on the Second Reading was held on 9th September 2026, after which the Bill was passed without a division.

The Act enacted in 2009 established the office to carry out functions including the coordination of activities between the Armed Forces and the Ministry of Defence, in accordance with prevailing requirements. Upon the commencement of this Act, all movable and immovable property belonging to the Office of the Chief of Defence Staff will be transferred to the Ministry of Defence.