Field marshal
Rank flag
Star insignia for field marshal
Shoulder insignia for field marshal
Country Sri Lanka
Service branch Sri Lanka Army
AbbreviationFM
RankFive-star rank
Formation22 March 2015
Next lower rankGeneral
Equivalent ranksAdmiral of the fleet (Navy)
Marshal of the air force (Air Force)
Sri Lanka Army
Components
History
Equipment
Leadership and ranks

Field marshal (FM) is the five-star rank of the Sri Lanka Army and ranks immediately above general. the rank has been awarded only once, to Sarath Fonseka as an honorary rank.[1] It is equivalent to admiral of the fleet and marshal of the Sri Lanka Air Force.[2]

Privileges

A field marshal remains a serving officer on the active list of the Sri Lankan Army for life. It is an honorary position with no command or administrative responsibilities, and the officer is not subject to the Army Act. Therefore, a field marshal is permitted to engage in political activities and take up political appointments. In the order of precedence, the rank holder is equivalent to a cabinet minister.[3] He can participate in uniform to all ceremonial occasions. An officer of this rank is entitled to an office maintained by the Army along with an aide-de-camp and personal staff; as well as all privileges entitled to a serving General for life. This includes pay, an official residence, transport and a security detail. Furthermore, such an officer is entitled to receive a guard of honor composed of four officers and 150 other ranks and a military funeral on his death with a 21-gun salute. The widow of such an officer is entitled to the pay, allowances and residence given to her husband for life.[4][5]

Insignia of rank

A field marshal's insignia consists of the National emblem over a crossed batons in a lotus blossom wreath.[6] Field marshals are awarded a Gold-tipped baton (which they may carry on formal occasions), five stars insignia (vehicle star plate) and a personal flag.[7][8]

The Sri Lanka Army Dress Regulations, lays out the field marshal's uniform. It is in line with the uniform of a general officer (with underling parent regimental traditions) with a few unique variations. These include the gorget patches of the field marshal pattern of gold/silver oak leaf chain of two oak leave, five gold/silver stars on scarlet background with a gold/silver button; worn on Dress No 2A, 4, 5, 5A, 6, 6A, 6B, 7 and 8; and special epaulettes for Dress No 2 and 2A.[9]

List of field marshals

Sarath Fonseka was the first and, to date, only Sri Lankan Army officer to be promoted to the rank. He was promoted on 22 March 2015.[4][10][11]

References

  1. ^ "PROMOTION APPROVED BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT" (PDF). documents.gov.lk. THE DEPARTMENT OF GOVERNMENT PRINTING, SRI LANKA. Retrieved 6 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Nation Salutes War Veteran, General Sarath Fonseka (Retd) Conferring Field Marshal Rank". army.lk. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
  3. ^ "Archived copy" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2021-11-02.((cite web)): CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ a b Gen. GSC Fonseka elevated to the rank of field marshal, Ministry of Defence (Sri Lanka), Retrieved 29 March 2015
  5. ^ Field Marshal post with Lifetime cabinet powers for General Sarath Fonseka..!
  6. ^ "Dress Regulation PDF - Part I" (PDF). army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. January 2019. pp. 10–8. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  7. ^ "All Ranks, Privileges & Pension Restored for General (Retd) Sarath Fonseka". defence.lk. Retrieved 2015-03-22.
  8. ^ What makes a Field Marshal Archived 2018-01-26 at the Wayback Machine, Ramesh Irugalbandara, newsfirst.lk, Retrieved 5 April 2015
  9. ^ "Dress Regulation PDF - Part I" (PDF). army.lk. Sri Lanka Army. January 2019. pp. 2–14, 7–23. Retrieved 20 May 2021.
  10. ^ Sarath Fonseka to be bestowed with Field Marshal Title NEWS.LK (The Official Government News Portal of Sri Lanka), Retrieved 29 March 2015
  11. ^ General Fonseka Made Field Marshal - P.K.Balachandran, The Indian Express, Retrieved 29 March 2015
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