President Maithripala Sirisena on August 19 appointed Major General Shavendra Silva as the new Commander of the Sri Lanka Army after promoting him to the rank of Lieutenant General, reports Colombo Page. Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva is the 23rd Commander of the Sri Lanka Army. He replaces the former Commander Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake who retired after serving more than two years as the Commander. Lieutenant General Silva joined the Sri Lanka Army as a Cadet Officer in 1984 and held the position of Chief of Staff of Sri Lanka Army prior to this appointment.
Meanwhile, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet on August 19 expressed serious concerns about the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva, who has been alleged of war crimes and crimes against humanity, as the country's new army commander, reports Colombo Page. "I am deeply troubled by the appointment of Lieutenant-General Shavendra Silva as Commander of the Sri Lankan Army, despite the serious allegations of gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian law against him and his troops during the war," Bachelet said.
Separately, the U.S. on August 19 expressed concern over the appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as new Army Commander by the President following the retirement of Lieutenant General Mahesh Senanayake, reports Colombo Page. The U.S. Embassy issuing a statement said "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."