Mar 20, Colombo: A retired Army major general has been appointed to take charge of the administration of the state-owned Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corporation, days after its employees went on strike to protest attacks on its staffers.

For the newly created post Additional Deputy Secretary General – Administration, Major General Sunil Silva has been appointed on the recommendation of Defence Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa, local media reported today.

Reportedly the action was taken to ensure uninterrupted transmission in the event of an emergency situation, such as a labour strike which could lead to a complete breakdown of the services of Rupavahini.

Last week, the government deployed Army personnel to carry out SLRC transmission when the workers went on strike. The matter was solved after President Mahinda Rajapaksa assured the workers that they would be given adequate security.