January 01, Colombo (LNW): General Shavendra Silva, the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of Sri Lanka, delivered a poignant farewell message, reflecting on his over four decades of service in the Sri Lanka Army.
Having retired after a distinguished military career, General Silva marked the end of his tenure as the 8th CDS, a role he assumed on 1 June 2022, following a period of significant national turmoil.
During his farewell address, General Silva spoke candidly about his actions during the ‘Aragalaya’ protests of 2022, a period of intense civil unrest in Sri Lanka. He stressed his intention to minimise civilian casualties during the protests, explaining that he had directed the military to use only minimal force in response to the demonstrators.
“I had no desire to harm or kill unarmed civilians. My instructions were clear: to avoid unnecessary violence,” General Silva stated, adding that his approach had been misinterpreted by those in power at the time, which, he felt, led to a misunderstanding of his strategy.
Reflecting on the circumstances surrounding his appointment as CDS, General Silva explained how he had transitioned from his role as the 23rd Commander of the Sri Lanka Army to the country’s top defence position.
“When I was appointed CDS, I had just seven months remaining before my retirement as Army Commander. Shortly thereafter, the political situation took a dramatic turn, with President Gotabaya Rajapaksa fleeing the country. At the time, I was overseas attending a national security conference, with official permission,” he recalled.
Despite the intense political and military challenges of the period, General Silva made it clear that his loyalties lay firmly with the nation. “I did not seek power for personal gain or betrayal, nor did I act as a pawn for foreign interests,” he said, referring to the accusations that sometimes arose during the protests. He went on to explain that his decision to deploy the Air Mobile Brigade to rescue the then Prime Minister, who was trapped by protesters, was a testament to his commitment to safeguard national leadership during a crisis.
Throughout his career, General Silva had earned the trust of several Sri Lankan Presidents, who recognised his disciplined approach to military service. In addition to his military duties, he held prominent civilian roles, including as the Deputy Adviser on National Security, Chairman of the National Sports Selection Committee, and Chief Operations Officer of the Presidential Task Force on Green Agriculture.
His military career was equally distinguished, having risen through the ranks from Second Lieutenant to the highest military office in the country. General Silva served in various key positions, including as Chief of Staff of the Sri Lanka Army and Colonel of the prestigious Gajaba Regiment, the Special Forces Regiment, and the Commando Regiment.
His leadership in commanding the 58 Division during the final stages of the Sri Lankan civil war in 2009 was particularly notable. Under his command, the division played a pivotal role in the Wanni Humanitarian Operation, a decisive campaign that led to the conclusion of the three-decade-long conflict and the restoration of peace in Sri Lanka.
Known for his expertise in infantry tactics and battlefield strategy, General Silva also earned a reputation for his strong leadership and discipline. His tenure saw him become one of the most successful divisional commanders, with his regiment achieving significant success in military operations, making him a respected figure both within Sri Lanka’s military circles and internationally.
Reflecting on his career, he expressed pride in his service to the nation, saying, “My aim was always to serve with honour and integrity, and I leave with no regrets, having done my duty to the best of my ability.”
