APD | Sri Lanka appoints controversial Army officer as Commander

By APD writer Easwaran

COLOMBO, Aug. 19 (APD) – Sri Lanka’s President Maithripala Sirisena on Monday appointed Major General Shavendra Silva as the new Commander of the Army.

Shavendra Silva was appointed to the post despite concerns raised over the risk his appointment may pose to Sri Lanka’s cooperation with UN Peacekeeping operations and the defence cooperation between the US and Sri Lanka.

Shavendra Silva replaces Lt. Gen. Mahesh Senanayake who retired from service on Sunday.

Major General Shavendra Silva has been accused of war crimes linked to the final stages of the war in Sri Lanka.

The International Truth and Justice Project (ITPJ) said that Silva’s appointment throws into question US assistance to the Sri Lankan Army which is subject to Leahy Laws which prohibit the US from providing military assistance to foreign security force units that violate human rights with impunity.

The appointment could also potentially impact Sri Lanka’s recent resumption of deployment of UN peacekeepers.

The United States said it was deeply concerned by the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as Army Commander.

The US Embassy in Colombo said that the allegations of gross human rights violations against him, documented by the United Nations and other organizations, are serious and credible.

“This appointment undermines Sri Lanka’s international reputation and its commitments to promote justice and accountability, especially at a time when the need for reconciliation and social unity is paramount,” the US Embassy in Colombo said.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)