General Shavendra Silva, the former Army Commander and Chief of Defence Staff, retired yesterday (31) after an illustrious 41-year career dedicated to ensuring the security and sovereignty of Sri Lanka.
A ceremonial event was held in his honor at the Bandaranaike International Conference Hall yesterday afternoon.
In a statement reflecting on his tenure, General Silva addressed various significant events, including the public unrest in 2022.
He remarked, “The public unrest of 2022 marked a challenging phase in my military career, revealing the true friends and adversaries I encountered. The state army exists to protect the people and the nation from threats, both external and internal. The 2022 uprising was an internal civil disturbance. I instructed the army to exercise minimal force to manage the protests, as my priority was to avoid the loss of innocent civilian lives due to military action.
I had no desire to misuse my authority to harm unarmed civilians. As a result, Sri Lanka avoided descending into chaos. Comparisons can be drawn with the adverse consequences seen in neighboring countries where military crackdowns have escalated conflicts.
Unlike some power-driven rulers, I harbored no ulterior motives to betray the state or become a tool of foreign interests. My decisions during the unrest reflected my commitment to safeguarding the nation. For instance, when the then-Prime Minister and fifth Executive President faced imminent danger from protesters, I deployed the Airborne Forces to ensure his safety. I also acted decisively to protect the homes of politicians from being targeted by arson.
However, my tactical decisions during this period were not always well-received by the authorities. Despite this, I stand by my actions, which were aimed at maintaining stability and safeguarding lives.”
General Silva also reflected on his transition from Army Commander to Chief of Defence Staff on May 31, 2022, just seven months before his scheduled retirement. “This change occurred shortly before President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fled the country. At that time, I was attending a national security conference abroad with state approval, following my resignation as Commander-in-Chief of the Army to assume the role of Chief of Defence Staff,” he added.
General Shavendra Silva’s leadership during critical moments in Sri Lanka’s recent history will remain a significant part of his legacy.
