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)

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 a 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. 1 2 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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