ITJP voices opposition against promotion of Maj. Gen. Silva as Army Commander

The International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP) has described Major General Shavendra Silva’s appointment to the post of Army Chief as a move which “immensely” damages the country and "marks the end of any reconciliation process".

“This is a man who has shown his willingness to violate international law,” ITJP Executive Director Yasmin Sooka said in a statement released by ITJP.

Mr. Sooka stated that the promotion would spark fear throughout the country especially among the Tamils who suffered immense losses when Silva allegedly oversaw attacks on civilian sites.

According to the ITJP, Silva has never been held accountable for “his role in crushing the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna uprising” in the late eighties. 

Mr. Sooka added that the promotion of Maj. Gen. Silva as Army Commander sends a message of total impunity. He cited the appointment as one which could impact Sri Lanka’s deployment of UN peacekeepers.

The ITJP Executive Director also noted that the appointment throws a question on US assistance to Sri Lanka, since the Leahy Laws in the US, prohibits it to provide military assistance to foreign security units which “violate human rights with impunity”.

The ITJP had also released a dossier containing the allegations leveled against the newly appointed Army Commander. View the ITJP's dossier here