US warns SL's recent army chief appointment could "significantly" curtail cooperation

US Assistant Secretary of State Robert Destro has warned that Sri Lanka's appointment of Lieutenant General Shavendra Silva as Army Chief "will significantly curtail bilateral cooperation" between the two countries.

Destro, in a testimony before a sub-committee yesterday (Oct 22), said the human rights violations levelled against the new Army Commander by the UN and other organisations, for his actions during the LTTE war, are "serious" and "credible".

Silva has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing, citing that the charges against him have not been proven yet.

In his statement, the Assistant Secretary declared that US is committed towards acheiving reconciliation for all communities in Sri Lanka after the three-decade long war which ended in 2009.

He acknowledged Sri Lanka's efforts towards setting-up the Office of Missing Persons, Office of Reparations, and the release of the land by the military to their owners in the North.

"We continue to urge the government to maintain that momentum," he said.

However, Destro pointed out that efforts concerning constitutional reforms, repealing the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and establishing a truth and reconciliation commission have been stalled.

He added that "no effort has been made to establish a credible judicial mechanism to address accountability for atrocities".

The US Assistant Secretary observed that the spread of misinformation through social media has "fuelled ethnic and religious tensions" in the country.

Destro noted that what is required in Sri Lanka is a strong civil society and independent media to provide access to information, and oversight of the government.