National Security Council (Sri Lanka)
# National Security Council (Sri Lanka)

The National Security Council (NSC) of Sri Lanka is the executive body of the Sri Lankan government that is charged with the maintenance of national security with authority to direct the Sri Lankan military and Police.

## History

The National Security Council established in June 1999 by an Gazette notification, by President Chandrika Kumaratunga following the military set backs in Operation Jayasikurui taking over direct control of the military from her cousin General Anuruddha Ratwatte, the deputy defense minister. The NSC came to national attention following the 2019 Sri Lanka Easter bombings, in which Prime Minister Ranil Wickramasinghe claimed that although a member, he was not invited to NSC sessions chaired by President Maithripala Sirisena following the 2018 Sri Lankan constitutional crisis.

## Membership

Structure of the National Security Council :

| Chairperson | President | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
| - | - | - |
| Statutory Members | Prime Minister | Dinesh Gunawardena |
| Statutory Members | Minister of Defence | Ranil Wickremesinghe |
| Statutory Members | Secretary to the Ministry of Defence | General (Retd.) Kamal Gunaratne |
| Statutory Members | Chief of the Defence Staff Commander of the Army Commander of the Navy Commander of the Air Force Inspector General of Police | General Shavendra Silva Lieutenant General Vikum Liyanage Vice Admiral Priyantha Perera Air Marshal Sudarshana Pathirana C. D. Wickramaratne |
| Appointed Members | Personnel appointed by the President Chief of National Intelligence Director, SIS | |
