Sri Lanka to get first Tamil military leader in 50 years

A member of Sri Lanka’s Tamil ethnic minority is set to head a branch of its military for the first time in 50 years. Vice Admiral Travis Sinnaiah is taking charge of Sri Lanka’s navy after a highly decorated career.

His appointment is seen as an important step in post-war Sri Lanka, but Tamil parties say the government must do more.

 

Al Jazeera’s Minelle Fernandez reports from Colombo.