The head of the Sri Lankan army warned that the military must be prepared to face “any internal or external threats” in an address to troops on New Year’s Day.
“We all should determine to attach the highest degree of priority to the enforcement of National Security needs at all times while being prepared to face any internal or external threats upon receipt of proper training and continued exercises,” said Shavendra Silva, who is accused of overseeing a litany of war crimes.
Silva was the head of Sri Lanka’s notorious 58 Division, an army unit that committed grave violations of international law including the shelling of hospitals and the execution of surrendering Tamils in 2009. Tens of thousands of Tamil civilians were killed during the final stages of the Sri Lankan military offensive.
However Silva continued to refer to those final few months, which has been the subject of several United Nations reports, as a “humanitarian operation”.
“It is with pride I state that you all as members of the Army are rendering an exceptional role of duty after the culmination of Humanitarian Operations,” he told soldiers.” The Army is currently engaged in the national development process giving its professional expertise while strengthening the component of sustainable peace.”
See more from the Sri Lankan army here.
