General Sarath Fonseka has been promoted to the rank of Field Marshal by President Maithripala Sirisena with effect from March 22, Presidential Media Unit said.

When contacted, Presidential Media Director Chaminda Sirimalwatta told ‘Asian Mirror’ that the official ceremony will be held on March 22.

In a recent interview, General Sarath Fonseka told CNN-IBN that he will be awarded the rank ‘in a couple of days’ time.’

There were speculations on the promotion of General Fonseka as Field Marshal for some time. On March 10, a spokesperson of General Fonseka told ‘Asian Mirror’ that he will be appointed a Field Marshal but said that there was no official confirmation from the army.

Field Marshal is a very senior military rank, ordinarily senior to the general officer ranks. Usually it is the highest rank in an army, and when it is, few (if any) persons are appointed to it. Promotion to the rank of field marshal in many countries historically required extraordinary military achievement by a general, usually a wartime victory.

General Fonseka will be the first ever Field Marshal in Sri Lankan military history.