Sri Lanka names general accused of war crimes as army chief, faces international backlash over selection

Colombo: A general accused of war crimes was Monday appointed Sri Lanka army chief, prompting international criticism and warnings his selection undermined efforts to ensure accountability after the country’s long-running civil war. [caption id=“attachment_3034102” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Sri Lankan flag. Reuters.[/caption] UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet said she was “deeply troubled” by Colombo’s appointment of Major General Shavendra Silva. The United Nations has accused him of committing war crimes during the final stages of Sri Lanka’s separatist conflict. “I am deeply troubled by the appointment … despite the serious allegations of gross violations of international human rights and humanitarian law against him and his troops during the war,” Bachelet said. Silva’s appointment to the highest position in the Sri Lankan army compromised Colombo’s commitment to promoting justice and accountability, she said, adding that it could jeopardise the island’s participation in peacekeeping missions abroad. The 55-year-old, who commanded an army division in the civil war, was elevated to the army’s second-highest position of chief of staff in January before his latest promotion by president Maithripala Sirisena to the commander of the Sri Lankan army. “The president … has appointed Major General Shavendra Silva as the 23rd commander of the army …after promoting him to the rank of Lieutenant General,” the army said in a statement. ‘Total impunity’ The American embassy in Colombo said allegations of “gross human rights violations” against Silva were “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,” it added. Sri Lanka’s armed forces crushed separatist rebels in 2009 in a no-holds-barred offensive that ended a 37-year war which killed 100,000 people. There were mass atrocities against civilians in Sri Lanka’s predominantly Tamil north towards the end of the conflict, with rights groups saying some 40,000 ethnic Tamils were killed by government forces. The United Nations, in a report into the allegations, said Silva played a major role in orchestrating war crimes. The International Truth and Justice Project, which has pursued war-era officials accused of crimes, said Silva’s appointment was “immensely damaging to the country”. The organisation noted that his appointment was made ahead of presidential elections due before 9 December. Former defence secretary Gotabhaya Rajapakse is hoping to run for president. He is also facing allegations of war crimes over his role in guiding Sri Lanka’s war against Tamil rebels a decade ago. “After so much bloodshed Sri Lankans need to hold their leaders accountable in order to stop the repeated cycles of violence,” the head of the South Africa-based rights group Yasmin Sooka said in a statement. “Silva’s promotion, however, sends a message of total impunity.” She said they had compiled a 137-page dossier on Silva showing there was “more than enough evidence” to charge him with war crimes and crimes against humanity. Sri Lanka’s successive governments have resisted calls for an independent investigation into the conduct of troops during the final months of the conflict.