Colombo (LNW): The Ministry of Defence has responded to several claims made by former Minister Wimal Weerawansa in his recently launched book “Nine: The Hidden Story” involving Gen. Shavendra Silva, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and former Army Commander), stressing that they are baseless and therefore, false.
The Full Statement:
Clarification by the Ministry of Defence on a statement made by Hon. Wimal Weerawansa MP regarding the Chief of Defence Staff and former Army Commander
Deputy National Security Advisor Level Meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave, a security conference organized between friendly countries in the South Indian Ocean region, was held in India on 07 July 2022. The Ministry of Defence emphasizes that under the directions and approval of the then President of Sri Lanka and the Defence Ministry, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and former Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva participated in the Meeting representing the Government of Sri Lanka.
Appearing on the “Paththare Visthare” programme of Hiru TV, today (26 Apr), Journalist Chamuditha Samarawickrama quoting from the speech made by Hon. Wimal Weerawansa MP at the launching ceremony of his book “Nine; The Hidden Story” (නවය; සැඟවුනු කතාව), had alleged that the first plan by those behind the protests on May 09, 2022 was to assassinate the then Executive President and the defence heads inside the President‟s House and that General Shavendra Silva‟s visit to India, aroused suspicion.
Accordingly, the Ministry of Defence further emphasizes that the above statement is baseless and the Chief of Defence Staff and former Commander of the Army General Shavendra Silva was on an official visit to India in July 2022 to attend the meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave with the approval of the then President of Sri Lanka and Ministry of Defence.
