Ministry of Defence officials say that the new body, to be known as the Joint Operations Bureau (JOB), will be headed by the recently-retired army general, Rohan Daluwatte.

The aim is ensure better co-ordination between the army, navy and air force

In the past 15 years, there have been different bodies trying to co-ordinate the army, navy, the airforce as well as the police.

Military officials say that the latest initiative is no different from its predecessors. One described it as old wine in a new bottle.

The creation of the JOB comes a month after the government called off its biggest and bloodiest military campaign against Tamil Tiger guerrillas in the north of the country.

Operation Victory Assured was launched in 1996 to try to open the road north through Tiger-controlled areas to reach the government-held Jaffa peninsula.

The Tamil Tiger rebels have been fighting for a separate homeland for some 15 years.

Government forces as well as the rebels are reportedly launching recruitment drives to boost their manpower for another round of fighting later this year.

Both sides suffered heavy casualties last year and are short of manpower.