28 March, 2024

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Appointing Shavendra Silva As The Chief Of Staff Of The Army Is Sri Lanka’s Way Of Thumbing Its Nose At The International Community: GTF

The recent appointment of Shavendra Silva (Silva) as the Chief of Staff of the Sri Lankan army has sent shock waves through the Tamil community, and to all those interested in human rights and accountability in Sri Lanka. Such appointment, particularly as Sri Lanka’s human rights record is about to be reviewed in Geneva in March 2019, is a clear message to the international community that the country cares little about its views and the potential consequences of its failures in faithfully implementing the UNHRC resolution 30, 34/1.

Shavendra Silva

Among all the Sri Lankan military officers implicated in war crimes, Silva is perhaps the most well-known. In many ways, he symbolised war crimes and crimes against humanity committed by the Sri Lankan armed forces during the last stages of the war and the extent to which the country is prepared to hide and protect its military from honest scrutiny and accountability.

Brigadier Silva was the General Officer Commanding of the military’s controversial 58th Division that battled the LTTE in the Vanni in the final days of the conflict. There are multiple reports that strongly implicate Silva with war crimes. The UN Panel of Experts Report (2011) alleged that it was in surrendering to his Division that several LTTE members were shot dead (the infamous ‘White Flag Case’). According to the South Africa based International Truth and Justice Project (ITJP – 2018), eye witnesses placed Silva on site and claim he even shook hands with the LTTE political wing leaders who surrendered on 18 May 2009, only to be summarily executed shortly thereafter. It has called on the Office of the Missing Persons (OMP) to investigate this as the first case if it was serious about criminal accountability for enforced disappearances, and for Major General Silva to be questioned first. Troops under his command were also credibly accused of shelling hospitals and no-fire zone packed with women, children and elderly refugees.

When Silva was appointed as Sri Lanka’s Deputy Permanent Representative to UN in August 2010, it was viewed not just as Sri Lanka’s attempt to give the highest protection to the most notorious of its military officers, but also as a test of the international will with regards to the extent of their commitment in ensuring war time accountability. During his UN tenure, a law suit was filed against Silva by the relatives of Tamil victims in the District Court of the Southern District of New York, which as expected, Silva fended off invoking diplomatic immunity. Though the original attempts at preventing Silva’s appointment to the UN failed, a consolation of some sorts was achieved when Silva was debarred from participating in meetings of the Special Advisory Group related to UN peace keeping missions of which he was a member representing the Asian group of countries. The chairperson of the Group, Louise Frechette, a former UN Deputy Secretary General, informed Silva that his participation in the Group was ‘inappropriate’ and advised him to keep away from all ‘deliberations’ of the panel.

Despite these setbacks, the rise and rise of Silva in the ranks of the Sri Lankan army continued unabated after his return from New York – first promoted as Adjunct General, Director of Operations and now a General and the army’s Chief of Staff. None of this is surprising, and indeed expected, by those who intimately understand Sri Lanka’s real lack of commitment to address criminal accountability involving its armed forces, particularly those prominent officers often venerated as war heroes despite their despicable record.

The question is how the international community will face up to these challenges when Sri Lanka once again reports its progress on implementing resolution 30, 34/1 in March 2019, when it will have nothing to report on the criminal accountability of its armed forces. The Silva episode must be one important factor when UNHRC member countries decide on appropriate responses and setting up mechanisms to achieve accountability and reconciliation in Sri Lanka for the post March 2019 period. (Global Tamil Forum)

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  • 5
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    “Thumping the nose”…. That’s another atrocity you can add to the list. Its an atrocity against the nose and also the English language.

    • 1
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      In Tamil language “p” and “b” are not distinguished and often interchanged.
      ?

    • 2
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      Controversal president would do any kind of appointment and will have regret later.
      :
      That he proved on the 26 Oct 2018 to all those voted for him and for the entire world, that he is THE abusive leader to have been appointed by this rascals dominated srilnakna.
      :
      If not to be respect, why THE VERY same man to have sworn in – accepting that he would respect the constitution.
      :
      Now sending ANOTHER shocking waves across the world (specially waking up the sentiments of the tamils srilankens) why SIRISENSA to apoint this SSilva is beyond all ethics and morals.
      :
      Here we question, why the case filed against SIRISENA on need of investigation of his MENTAL condition – should worth be subjected to reconsider or not ?

  • 4
    1

    Appointing Shavendra Silva As The Chief Of Staff Of The Army Is Sri Lanka’s Way Of Thumping Its Nose At The International Community: GTF

    It was MR who commenced the creation of the Egyptian styled Armed Services in which they were above accountability as to expenses AND income. To facilitate this MR created the Sinhalese-Only Armed Services. MR bought himself the loyalty instead of to GoSL.
    Both MS and RW know this. Following the 26 October putsch and the subsequent ‘happenings’, MS is nervous, insecure and jittery.
    MS is trying the MR-trick on Shavendra……….

  • 1
    1

    I am not sure if it was sheer ignorance or arrogance of Rajapakse, & now Sirisena, to appoint a man with alleged crimes against him to be venerated & appointed to high positions before vindicating him of the charges. Even in my humble job, if there are allegations of misconduct against me, my employer would send me on ‘garden leave’ until cleared of any wrong doing but if proven to be true, it would be grounds for instant dismissal & even criminal charges would be brought against me.

    By appointing an alleged war criminal as an UN envoy, probably to provide him with diplomatic immunity, Rajapakse made him self look stupid & egotistic in the eyes of the world just like other despots, Mugabe, Saddam Hussain, etc. Rajapakse played to the gallery, hyping on his tough talk & ‘war hero’ rhetoric; & now Sirisena, in a desperate bid to please the average voter, is emulating Rajapakse. Maybe the strategy of both, Rajapakse & Sirisena, was to ensure the loyalty of the armed forces, just in case their is an uprising, & the best way to do so is to appoint loyalists to the high ranks & keep them happy.

    Atrocities happen in war but it is up to the Govt. concerned to act swiftly & save it’s good name, instead of ignoring or turning a blind eye to the allegations. Sirisena & Rajapakse are not bothered about their international reputation as respected leaders but interested only in survival within the country to acquire wealth as much as possible during their time. Unfortunately, their stupid & self serving acts reflects badly on SL when it comes to aid, investment & trade.

  • 4
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    Shouldn’t it be “Thumbing” it’s nose?

    “Thumb one’s nose and cock a snook. … Interestingly, the phrase thumb one’s nose has come into use as an idiom to mean to show contempt for something or someone, to insult someone or to disrespect someone or something.”

    Yes it can imply that the government is thumbing it’s nose at the international community….after all we have to keep showing them we are a banana republic, and appointing an accused war criminal with blood on his hands, is one way to show we do what we want and cannot be controlled by other nations (but we love taking their aid).

  • 9
    4

    Major General Shavendra Silva, did what anyone in his place would have done. He served the same coin that LTTE leader VP was spinning.
    There was NO DOUBT that the LTTE along with VP and all other leaders had blood in their hands and could not ask for clemency because they never deserved it.
    Like the US Special Forces eliminated Osama Bin Ladin, VP and his cohorts had to be eliminated and it was just Major General Shavendra Silva’s prerogative to do it on behalf of all right thinking and peace loving Sri Lankans. If anyone else thinks otherwise, we can only say SORRY, as they should have brought some senses into VP when he was on his killing sprees, NOW it is too late.

    • 2
      2

      AshyD

      “Major General Shavendra Silva, did what anyone in his place would have done.”

      What did he do?

      “Like the US Special Forces eliminated Osama Bin Ladin, VP and his cohorts had to be eliminated and it was just Major General Shavendra Silva’s prerogative to do it on behalf of all right thinking and peace loving Sri Lankans. “

      Very clever.
      Why none of the other experts think like you?

      It looks like you are still missing VP and mourning the death of him. Certainly MR is.
      How long do you think you can drag the important issues by pointing to what VP did or didn’t do and sweep every war crime under VPs amude?
      Are you suggesting like the US forces’s excuses, the killing of innocent civilians in this island by Silva’s goons should be categorised being “collateral damages” as such no need for complete body count?

    • 1
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      You see ?
      “Pin” Laden , his wife and son were given an Islamic “purial” – being interred in the sea directly from air. – unlike the peloved leader VB whose pody was disowned by his family ( due to the inappropriateness of the corpses attire perhaps?)

      • 1
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        @ Doratupala

        So so you were at the spot to see.
        Tell why Modaya Government still unable to release his death certificate???
        When LTTE was at their peak you all coward hide under bed hugging Nona now vomiting imagination?
        BTW for your carrot brain after Binladen not a single Arab country is in peace today.
        Cheers

    • 2
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      Lol.you think people have sympathy for the death of VP, a person who was ready to die anyway from the very start? no. people are furious over the inhuman, disgusting conduct of this so called “hero” towards the civilians and surrendered ltte members.nobody is worried about death of VP but the murder of his youngest son after eating biscuits and tea, disgusting!

  • 3
    1

    Savendra Silva is the cream and real face of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka established under the 1972 Constitution and Demonized by the 1982 Constitution we have just protected by the recent political turbulence.

    The Rule of the Triple Gem is at its peak. Those who grumple have better keep silence.

    • 2
      1

      Soon this war criminal will be blessed by the Ayotullahs of Asgiriya, Amarapura all are living in stone age.

      Cheers

  • 2
    3

    Ha ha ha ha………….

    This gentleman Major General Shavendra Silva is only thumping his nose. If it was me, I wouldn’t be thumping my nose, instead I’d be thumping my something else.

    • 1
      0

      You are in the west right now aren’t you?

    • 2
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      Retarded

      “If it was me, I wouldn’t be thumping my nose, instead I’d be thumping my something else.”

      Only if it works, and you could get it up.
      Tell us which of your body parts work normally?

  • 2
    1

    Sri Lanka should be eternally grateful to our Armed Forces for wiping out terrorism. Instead of gratitude, all attempts are made to hunt them for fighting LTTE, whilst the kith and kin of LTTE fighters are paid.
    This is modern Sri Lanka!

    • 2
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      Sunil

      “Sri Lanka should be eternally grateful to our Armed Forces for wiping out terrorism. “

      On the contrary, Sri Lanka should be grateful to VP and Hindia for wiping out LTTE.
      However, Mahindawamsa now regrets the killing of VP who won two elections and a war for Dr Mahinda.

    • 0
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      Your thinking is so appalling. Dont you think if forces intentionally commited crimes, that they should too be investigated. Be them doctors, engineers, soldiers or any other professionals and citizens of the country should be investigated equally going by the laws prevailing in the country, instead, just becasue of SOME rascacal politicians make every effort to grab power by any means, should we neglect almost everything ?.

      And for whom should we put the blame LANKEN Racism to have been promoted ?.
      :
      Today it has become underworld business by the lead of Rajapakshes Rascals.

      This made clear by Incumbent President few weeks ago. He catogerically said, that those Kandy Riots against srialnken muslims and those Durga Town riots were directly created by the patronage of Rajapakshes.
      .
      LTTE Terror is no longer there thanks to Lanken forces and collectivity but Rajapakshes have scored the credit as if a predatory creature ate the prey completly by him .

  • 0
    0

    Internationa community gave weapons and every other possible help to the Sri lankan govt because it is business and money for them. Even the UK govt where GTF is located gave weapons to drop on Tamils. International community also supported Tamils to establish block votes and allowed to sendd money to LTTE to buy weapons. Some how 7000 or less Tamils got killed.
    The owner of IJTP knows the same Sinhala Army that she is working against Helped the Phillipine govt to control muslim Terrorists in their country. Those muslims got really scared at the end, They did not what way to shoot because where ever they they get shot and where ever they shoot their muslims get killed. Now they are ready for PTOMS, the next phase. After that comes the Reconciliation and Truth Commission. I still regret that Army Officer who was in the Sri lankan ‘Embassy in UK made only a sign and he did not complete his task.

  • 0
    0

    I here even the disabled Soldiers are still very proud of what they did. Sri lankan people appriciate them because Sri lanka is liveable now. ONLY THAT POOR LEAPORD, IN mULADDOWA, AND NOT ANY TIGERS WERE KILLED BY TAMILS. tAMILS ARE THAT ANGRY WITH TIGERS.

  • 0
    0

    Tamils all over the world are still mourning and Grieveing their loss of the Peace dove thamilselvam, EELAM IGP – NADESAn and the Sun god Pabakaran. but, all the LTTE proxies TNA says we support any govt that keeps our 16 seats safe Because most of the Tamils live now in the Sri lankan Deep south.

  • 2
    0

    Why did LTTE terrorists surrender anyway? They should’ve eaten cyanide as Prabakaran taught them.

    These ITJP cliwns never talk about LTTE crimes. At least these morons should look at the Kattankudy massacre in which almost
    200 Muslims were killed,a good example for genocide.

  • 1
    1

    Tamils in SL are citizens of this country and the Majority race should treat them equally in every possible way and not subjected to deprivation of their rights. The bringing in of Sinhala only was the start of the discrimination against Tamil speaking citizens of SL.
    They had been subjected to so many riots where innocents have been slaughtered and their shops and homes destroyed while the Security forces turned a blind eye.
    The burning of Jaffna Library and killing of surrendering LTTE fighters point blankly were the most heinous crimes.
    We need the judicial inquiry of the War crimes committed during JVP uprising and LTTE uprising.
    Lots have sacrificed their lives only to see the Politicians benefitting from their sacrifice.
    What kind of world we are living in.
    We aren’t sure what more Sirisena has got up in his sleaves

  • 2
    0

    He He He

    The world has seen barbaric military generals from Africa and Europe at the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
    One coward even swallows poison in front of judges and died at the sport.
    Waiting for the day to see SL LEADERS AND CARDBOARD MILITARRY CHIEFS at the ICC deck.
    Tamils in Europe can guarantee rousing welcome when they arrive at the ICC.
    This appointment is a slap to Tamils and slap to the international community.
    Cheers

  • 0
    0

    Shavendra deserves a NOBEL Peace Prize for getting rid of a terrorist outfit. The human rights champions wanted to divide the country, that was their “solution.”

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